[{"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-536":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},1848550,2454,"Chapter 536","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-536",536,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 536: The Escapee (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Royal Seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seal made of jade — usually used as the signet of a king or emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the approval seal for matters of state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So if that thief Kejen really did steal the Kardal royal family's royal seal, then odds are…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The royal family will be tearing this place apart looking for it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there might even be a huge bounty on the royal seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if there isn't a bounty, we could squeeze a lot of money out of Kardal through negotiations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is a windfall. A windfall.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo smiled in satisfaction, Earth offered a sober piece of advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ Blackmail and negotiation are one hair's breadth apart. You should be careful. Besides, the other side is the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it bluntly, what if the Kardal royal family refuses to negotiate with Yeongwoo and decides to use force?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If they don't act gentlemanly, then I really have no choice but to be a real robber.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If negotiations fail, Yeongwoo's Plan B was to fence the royal seal as stolen goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In any case, we won't lose out. If the negotiation looks bad, we run immediately.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having made up his mind, Yeongwoo headed back to Kejen's cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He traced the thief's name on the list of prisoners on the stone slab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the faintly glowing iron door slid aside and lights were turned on inside the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pa-at!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen squinted at the light he hadn't seen in a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he was the great thief who stole Kardal's royal seal, Kejen's true identity was a Ratman standing just 1 meter 40 centimeters tall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another Ratman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo shook his head, and Kejen shook the dainty manacles on his wrist as he shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hurry and take these off!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don't be ridiculous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Wha, what…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You're not even holding the royal seal right now, so why should I free you? I'll get you out of here, but you're a captive until the goods are secured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Yeongwoo motioned for him to come out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen clasped his hands together and pointed at his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Then at least take these off. I can't even walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yeongwoo looked down, he saw blue chains linking the chair to Kejen's ankles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, this thief who could steal a royal seal received special treatment in prison — they chained him so he couldn't move at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were getting special treatment, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo shrugged and tossed a Bastard to snap the blue chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwak-jat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After retrieving Bastard, Kejen stared at Yeongwoo with widened eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What the hell are you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? If necessary, I'm a robber who even cracks open prisons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo then turned his head toward the final client's cell — the arms dealer Koatu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We all leave quietly. To get out of here, we need to take one more person with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *This content belongs to novel~fire~net\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arms dealer Koatu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When King Teroph first marked Koatu as his initial target for collection, Yeongwoo hadn't thought much of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He assumed Koatu was just another common villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn… I walked into a prison to extort money from an arms dealer with my own feet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What on earth was this guy's true identity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why on earth was he imprisoned here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curiosity in tow, Yeongwoo stopped in front of Koatu's cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I've come back. I took care of the warden.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knocking the cell door with the back of his hand, Yeongwoo spoke, and Koatu replied in a composed voice from inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Impressive. But why would someone so powerful come to see me…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that he was imprisoned yet so relaxed, it was clear he wasn't ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You're said to have a lot of cash on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu reacted exactly as expected, then moved his arms slightly and the cuffs clinked inside the cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You found me. But when I'm locked up like this, I can't spend money, can I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. That's why I'm here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo began to open the cell door but first asked a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, how did you end up in this prison?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked because Koatu's listed crime was 'treason'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Koatu]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|Affiliation: Germ\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|Crime: Treason\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu made the cuff noise again and answered in a dejected voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I messed up my business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-I sold weapons to enemies of the royal family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that, Yeongwoo's mouth fell open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Crazy. He sold weapons to rival houses, and one of them was a royal house?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A royal family is still a household after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would you do something like that against a royal house?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-The added terms were very favorable. If we won the war, we had a contract to receive a portion of the spoils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by Koatu's current state, the gamble lost, and he and his allies paid for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then your comrades were all imprisoned or executed, I suppose.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm. It's best not to pick a fight with a royal family if you can avoid it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo couldn't help but form a reasonable suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what about the money? From the royal family's perspective, you're a war criminal — why didn't they seize your assets?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What kind of clients do you think I dealt with?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who would go to an arms dealer in this universe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those in need of arms, of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From small bandit gangs to great houses preparing for war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-For an arms seller, having a client suddenly turn into a robber is common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…At that point you should change professions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-That's why hiding your assets is basic. And to never reveal the location of your money under any threat is part of a gunrunner's fundamentals. Even the torture experts of the Tifur royal family couldn't make me talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-So let's be straightforward. How much do you want for an escape fee?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo sensed things were already beginning to spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why are there so many crazy people in this universe?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite growing a hundred million years every day, his prudence hadn't deepened as much as his wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he quoted a high price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“30 billion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-30 billion? That's an excessive amount. You know you won't get it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly, you must be carrying at least 30 billion on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-It's too big to lose in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don't you think you can get out of this cell with that kind of money…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu fell silent as if at a loss for words. Yeongwoo pressed the advantage and bargained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“15 billion. Half off, that's absurd but doable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-You mean go out and live as a beggar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beggars at least have freedom. Here, you're worse off than a beggar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Yeongwoo added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you actually have at least 30 billion. 15 billion is a lot, but now's not the time to quibble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen standing behind Yeongwoo nodded quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Instead of staying here, pay the 15 billion, get out, and make money again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…You really have no idea how big 15 billion is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your life is worth more than that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ku-ung!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo's patience finally snapped and he struck the cell door with his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then are you staying there? There's no time. Decide quickly or I'm leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had unintentionally ended up freeing two more prisoners today; leaving Koatu behind wouldn't be a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kardal royal seal alone could earn him a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, more money is better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Yeongwoo was about to haggle one last time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arms dealer Koatu accepted the 15 billion ransom for escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-But I want my safety guaranteed until I'm sufficiently secure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You're afraid of the royal family's pursuit? That service can be arranged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a 15-billion client; what royal family would frighten him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he would soon draw enmity from other houses anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were about to use the Kardal royal seal to do business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Come to think of it, these guys… all committed crimes against royal houses, didn’t they?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After glancing at the flashy roster of escapees, Yeongwoo finally opened the last client's cell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dreureuk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To everyone's shock, Koatu sat slumped on a chair — nothing like what Yeongwoo expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-My god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-What is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Mantero and Kejen gasped and covered their mouths in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu the arms dealer looked utterly beaten to pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knew what had happened to him — his left leg had been ripped off, his right leg was already a mechanical prosthesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep cuts crisscrossed his body — the marks of brutal torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn… so the torture experts really paid a visit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after being tortured to this condition, he had not revealed the location of his hidden assets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really love money, huh? You could have just spared yourself a little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little embarrassed, Yeongwoo unclasped the chains binding Koatu to the chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey… has your face always been like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half of Koatu's face was mechanical, so Yeongwoo asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu gave a wry smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Let's just say I once met a fierce client long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah. Another incident, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo politely helped Koatu to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Mantero. Support our client. I might have to fight; I can't keep standing here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Ah, ah. Understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The good-natured Mantero rushed over without complaint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Kejen peered into the darkness beyond the prison corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hey… something's wrong. I think we've got trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen pointed out into the distance, and outside the cells Yeongwoo saw something darker than the darkness itself pushing in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud, thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Black Iron Prison's guard corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already deployed suppression teams into the underground cell block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, these bastards. I didn't want to spill blood today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo advanced, gripping Bastard in irritation, and Kejen raised his cuffed hands, showing his manacles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Hurry! Take these off. I'll help you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up. You're not free until ransom is paid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Yeongwoo asked Earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We need at least four escape boats, I think. Can you prepare that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ If you give up comfort, yes. I'll send low-cost escape boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Earth added a condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ But at minimum, you have to get to the castle courtyard. Can you manage that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo glanced at Koatu, who was being supported by Mantero, and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘15 billion can make impossible things happen.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1735,"2026-06-09T07:04:10.527Z",1,"novelbin.me","c3071bb5af5fdec0ead0782305c6779785667cd850317c4b5427e9c1127073ec","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-537","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-535",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]