[{"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-492":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},1848056,2454,"Chapter 492","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-492",492,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 492: Balance (9)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Balance of Donations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you were to rephrase that strange expression, it would essentially mean the \"donation laundering ratio.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>King Teroph of Doatel was a businessman too, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell… He’s the one bringing up ratios first?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, donation laundering negotiations had been a secret weapon for Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had assumed those soft-hearted caramels wouldn’t dare argue with him over the donation laundering percentage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in reality, Doatel's side had launched a strong preemptive strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by ‘the balance of donations’? What exactly are you referring to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo asked, probing to figure out the other side’s stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teroph raised his index finger, as if to emphasize:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ If I understand correctly, you, will be accepting donations from the ‘Evil’ of the universe, yes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ And we, in turn, are to return a portion of those donations to you. Is that correct?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Correct. By taking donations from Evil, its karmic weight is reduced. Paradoxically, that increases the amount of Good. So I take a portion of the donations as operational funds in order to reduce that excess Good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was utter nonsense—but Teroph didn’t show even a hint of confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ However, the operational funds you take will ultimately lead to acts of violence, which are effectively Evil karma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“True. But that Evil will give rise to even greater Good, which means, in the end, it’s the right thing to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two clashed sharply, neither backing down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Teroph still had another card up his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ I agree. However, since the existing balance between Good and Evil is already disrupted, we currently need more Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, Teroph summoned a tiny scale above his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ This is our starting point for negotiations. Good and Evil, in a 6:4 ratio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was saying they would begin negotiations with the donation distribution ratio already set at 6:4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Yeongwoo would not be allowed to take more than 40% of the donations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What…? How is that balanced? At the very least, it should start at 5:5.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo almost summoned Bastard to smash the scale but barely restrained himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teroph elaborated,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ The universe is already flooded with Evil, creating a state of imbalance. A 6:4 ratio is the minimum required to even begin approaching true balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Jiseon quietly returned to her human form and stood behind Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—He’s not wrong. The whole premise of laundering is to restore the universe’s balance, remember?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mother, not you too…? Is no one on my side?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yeongwoo turned around in protest, Song Jeongho, also now in human form, shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>∴ Maybe it’s time you acted a little more human. Think about the harm you’ve caused this universe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, come on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this… was karma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With even his own bloodline refusing to side with him, Yeongwoo stared at the tiny scale—already seemingly tilted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“6:4… I don’t like it, but if it’s for the sake of universal balance, then I suppose it can’t be helped. It’s true this world is full of villains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo tried to wrap up the ratio negotiation at this point, Teroph raised his other hand above the scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Won’t this new business create yet another great Evil? That would worsen the balance further. Therefore, we must engage in even more acts of Good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean? Another great Evil… will be created?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new great Evil born from this business?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth could that be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo stared blankly in confusion, Teroph placed his raised hand over his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Doatel. Having long claimed the role of savior for all creation, we are now not only tolerating Evil, but even cooperating with it. How could that not be Evil?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Because of us, the universe’s balance has tilted even more. We’ll need to perform greater acts of Good to make up for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Teroph’s nonsense, Yeongwoo felt a chill crawl up his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teroph was putting into immediate practice the earlier claim that Doatel didn’t need to be purely righteous to be part of the balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait, no—this isn’t just “not pure Good.” This is just straight-up villainy!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the balance of the universe as leverage, threatening a business partner for the sake of more Good?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo, not wanting the ratio to skew further against him, hurriedly protested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Majesty! I’m a villain. So you’re threatening a villain right now. Which, if you think about it, is closer to a good deed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yeongwoo tried his best to deny the notion of a “Doatel-as-villain” theory, Teroph already had his next move prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ There is no law in this universe that says a villain deserves to suffer Evil. The truly Good show kindness even to the wicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Teroph looked at the scale in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Therefore, if we’re threatening you—someone who is evil—we can no longer call ourselves good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, the scale tilted once more—shifting to a 7:3 ratio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Since Doatel, once a major pillar of good deeds, has fallen, we must now diligently fill that void with virtuous acts. Will you help us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teroph extended the scale toward Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a gesture asking him to agree to a 30% donation laundering rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is just…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo was so taken aback by the absurdity of the logic that he could only mouth silent words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since the nonsense was being spouted under the guise of “goodness,” he couldn’t even easily strike back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, wasn’t he the one who needed to borrow Doatel’s philanthropic status?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Even a 30% rate isn’t that bad. From our perspective, it’s income we wouldn’t have had otherwise. Think of it as a 30% delivery fee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiseon whispered softly, trying to persuade Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her, the most important thing in this business was the principal—the source of the laundered funds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The donations they were to collect from villains weren’t Yeongwoo’s money to begin with, and without borrowing Doatel’s status as a charity front, he wouldn’t be able to obtain them anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Yeongwoo’s role was effectively that of a deliveryman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A special kind of delivery, involving a bit of “persuasion” to make the customer pay against their will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Honestly, even if the laundering rate were just 10%, we wouldn’t be losing anything. We’d just need to squeeze out more donations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t jinx it, Mom. We might actually end up stuck with a 90:10 deal if you say that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo whispered even more quietly than Jiseon, wary that Teroph might overhear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still… If I think of it as a delivery fee, it’s actually not a bad business.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he managed to secure 10 billion karma in donations, 3 billion would go to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, that would require dealing with much bigger clients.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant he needed to keep getting stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more powerful he became, the more formidable clients he could extract donations from, and that directly correlated with revenue for the Renaissance group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And as a bonus, I’d be contributing to cosmic-scale good deeds. Not that I’m thrilled about it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking that way made the pounding in his temples ease a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yeah, fuck it. Might as well rack up some good karma.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally making a firm decision, Yeongwoo looked solemnly at the scale, and Teroph nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ So you've made your decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An opportunity to contribute to the balance of the universe… Who could pass that up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo spoke, he removed his hand from Bastard at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, moving his hand, he reached toward the scale, still tilted at a 70:30 ratio.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Touching this enacts the contract, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ That’s correct. You will be opening the door to restore balance to the universe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. I’m doing this because I trust your son’s character and believe in Your Majesty’s intentions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ I will do my utmost. I hope you will do the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, I always give my all when it comes to violence.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As these pleasantries were exchanged, Yeongwoo’s hand finally touched the scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, emblems representing each of their houses appeared in the air between Yeongwoo and King Teroph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emblems overlapped and a contract was formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ From now on, you may solicit donations under the names of House Shelbir and Doatel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, the knights of House Shelbir turned toward Yeongwoo and saluted him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shu-shu-shu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now an official business partner of House Shelbir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This contract takes effect immediately, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Yes, it does… though… have you already decided on a donor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Teroph’s question, Yeongwoo immediately thought of the influential Shirach family from the lower galaxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he couldn’t even take down their young master, could he really squeeze donations from them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Regrettably, I should move Shirach down the priority list.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So then, who should be the first donor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering for a moment, Yeongwoo turned the question back to Teroph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you, Your Majesty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Pardon…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have someone in mind? Someone you’d like me to visit and extract money from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The worst kind of person in the galaxy—the kind of scumbag even the universe’s top do-gooder would want shaken down by a thug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiseon chimed in, clearly intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Indeed. If it’s alright, it might be best for Your Majesty to designate the first donor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Ah… Is that so?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teroph gave a gentle response and looked toward the scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ It’s true… There are indeed people who cause major imbalances. Even here in the upper galaxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The upper galaxy? That’s even better. The closer, the sooner I can collect the money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo’s eyes sparkled, and Teroph waved his hand through the air, projecting a massive hologram above them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwaaa!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was none other than a galactic map showing the locations of noble houses in the upper galaxy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the—? There are way more houses up here in the upper galaxy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just looking at the emblems on the map, there were already eleven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Yeongwoo hadn’t met every family in the lower galaxy, but even among the major ones, there were only five at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you counted the mysterious Chancellor Herisa, that only made six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ Unlike the lower galaxy, where order was once established long ago, the upper galaxy remains engulfed in chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, three of the eleven emblems turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Doatel had already prepared a hit list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the hell? I just asked who to beat up, and they already had targets lined up?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, having three potential clients nearby was a good thing for Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright then, Your Majesty—who should I visit first? I’d like to run a test, so point me to the weakest one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teroph then pointed to the claw-shaped emblem located at the northernmost point on the map.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ The arms dealer Koatu. He’s recently profited from selling weapons during inter-house wars, so he should have quite a bit of cash on hand right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>◇ So please, teach Koatu the meaning of balance. He simply has too much money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1878,"2026-06-09T07:03:45.910Z",1,"novelbin.me","17c22ecbf02378443fc00ed43d0ec12aab2c34dcdc5bde436d7ac539c4305122","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-493","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-491",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]