[{"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-541":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},1848555,2454,"Chapter 541","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-541",541,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 541: Black Customers (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What… what the hell are you saying? Just carry this prosthetic leg and walk into the vault?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Yeongwoo made a dumbfounded face, Koatu explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— With this leg alone, you can open the central vault, and it’ll keep pointing you in its direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, but how am I supposed to know what’s happening down there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Even if something happens, what use is that one-legged cripple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, Yeongwoo didn’t even have the time to argue with Koatu now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a little while, the remaining time would drop below five minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, why are these bastards making my life so hard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Yeongwoo’s mind was spinning quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, fine. Instead of that one-legged guy, you come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at the golden goblin sitting in the corner of the bridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jeonggu tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why a goblin all of a sudden?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t know how the money inside that vault is stacked. We’ll need a porter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he gave an order to Earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare a drop capsule. We’re going right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『I’ll drop you as close to the vault as possible. It’ll be ready in five seconds.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Earth rolled its eyes in a circle, it waved its hand in the air and opened a portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『A goblin’s small enough to carry. Just hold him and ride.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning they would use only one capsule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word, Yeongwoo called the goblin over and scooped him up lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said there’s five minutes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『As of now, five minutes twenty-one seconds. By the time you arrive, you’ll have almost exactly five minutes left.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Yeongwoo tapped his wrist and conjured a five-minute ten-second timer.ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI(F)ire.net\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll bring back as much as I can, so just wait five minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he picked up Koatu’s prosthetic leg from the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If something goes wrong down there, I might not be able to return this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaning he might have to leave it behind while fighting guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Koatu looked troubled, then said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— It’s my only leg, so of course I’d like it back… but even if it’s lost, I won’t blame you, Captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Then I’ll see you shortly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Yeongwoo leapt into the portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ta-at!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, his surroundings shifted into the cramped interior of the drop capsule, and he felt the platform beneath his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how many times I ride this, I can’t get used to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now, when he was carrying the golden goblin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Kiiik!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goblin flattened himself against Yeongwoo’s shoulder and chest, barely hanging on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do I avoid using these disposable capsules?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked into the air, and Earth answered through their shared consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ With money, what else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ Even a cheap shuttle goes for five or six hundred million. From mid-sized ships onward, prices skyrocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Mid-sized ships… like the ones I saw those clan heads riding before?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ No, those were large-class. At your parents’ wedding, most guests came in mid-sized ships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mid-sized cost at least several billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Semi-large ships were over ten billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for the great families’ large-class ships, their price couldn’t even be measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then how much is the Chairman’s ship worth?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ That’s a custom-made ship to his taste. I doubt you could even put a value on it. Just the production cost must be astronomical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Earth added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ Still, compared to his stature, the Chairman’s ship isn’t that big. Actually, it’s quite small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chairman’s tombship, in terms of sheer size, was only mid-class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ But it’s not like he couldn’t afford larger. There must be a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the capsule groaned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak, clunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was locked into the launch chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puuuuuum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thunderous roar, the capsule fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s right ahead, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuaaaat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the tearing wind shrieks against the hull, Yeongwoo asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earth warned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ Almost there. Get ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, almost simultaneously—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kwaaaang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent shock engulfed the capsule, and the surrounding metal shell burst apart in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had arrived at Koatu’s secret vault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thrown out as always, Yeongwoo quickly landed on his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuhk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of rock, he stepped on reinforced steel plating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already inside part of a massive structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking up, Yeongwoo saw a vault entrance built like a temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, a massive steel gate—at least fifteen meters tall—dominated his vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On either side stretched thick exterior walls with not even a crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gate was the only entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Those are definitely guards.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perched atop the gate were two huge mechanical gargoyles, clinging like ornaments—ready to leap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing a fight, Yeongwoo handed the prosthetic to the goblin, then drew Bastard from his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shwaaat!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he stepped toward the gate—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trkk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the gargoyles slid down with a grating sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thuuud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Halt!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「This is private property. Take another step and you will be executed.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were six meters tall, with massive inverted-triangle builds—clearly combat models.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At least they don’t attack right away. That’s… gentlemanly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, intruder was written all over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The odds of someone stumbling here by chance were zero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the gargoyles merely folded their arms and glared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Yeongwoo held back from striking immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sshk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Koatu’s prosthetic from the goblin and waved it in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look, the vault owner gave me the key. I’m no intruder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gargoyles bent down to inspect the leg closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「He’s really got the key.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Then… did he harm Lord Koatu?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That conclusion was unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And stranger yet, these machines acted and spoke like living beings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost like…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Lemu.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essentially high-intelligence machines, with personalities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That reminded Yeongwoo of the legendary spear, Lightning Rod, and its bizarre trait: Lemu’s Seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Lemu’s Seal】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>| Every time you pronounce ‘Lemu,’ you receive a thrilling jolt of lightning damage and gain favor with machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could this be when I use it…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yeongwoo hesitated, the gargoyles grew menacing and flanked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You bear no clearance mark, yet you carry the vault key…」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「That can only mean Lord Koatu has been compromised.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, then you’re free now. Isn’t that good for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the gargoyles ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「To maintain vault security, we shall reclaim the key!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lunged to seize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their arms shot forward, fast enough that even the holographic guide warned at the same instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not compared to Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hands slashed only empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「……!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Where—?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time they blinked, Yeongwoo was already at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do I open this? I’d rather not damage the place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gargoyles’ eyes flared red as they bared their fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Die here, and your body will be carried to the organic waste disposal.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Only then may you pass beyond the gate!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather poetic for machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoooshhh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they charged, Yeongwoo summoned the Lightning Rod and spoke with force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>《Lemu……!》\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, both the weapon and Yeongwoo’s body flashed white, lightning spearing through his skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t the only one jolted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gargoyles, too, lit up white, sparks dancing off their necks as their eyes turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Eh?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Ghhk!」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arms raised to strike, they suddenly folded them politely inward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Ah, what have we done.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「We nearly gravely offended a brother.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the—why are you acting like this now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo stepped back, one gargoyle placed its palm on the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「We were hasty. There’s no way you’d lie.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「If you hold Lord Koatu’s leg, you must be on his errand.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘These guys are nuts…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he muttered inwardly, the gargoyle continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「But rules forbid us from letting anyone through the main gate without clearance.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Then what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Instead, we’ll open a machine-only passage. You are our brother, practically a machine yourself.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The hell…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, Lemu’s Seal had created a sense of kinship so deep they now saw him as one of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the Redfoot clan giving everything to “Littlefoot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this applied to all machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is President Lemu… the king of machines?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo gaped, the wall slid open, revealing a straight corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Step onto the platform ahead. It’ll take you directly to the central vault.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The platform bore an inscription in Universal: For Emergency Deployment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a fast-track transport for guards—now lent to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding, Yeongwoo stepped onto the platform with the goblin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall sealed behind them, and the gargoyles spoke once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「If Lord Koatu yet lives, please send our regards. It’s been far too long since we saw him.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, of course. Thanks, bro… thers!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the platform accelerated, Yeongwoo thought to himself,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I ever build a vault, I’m never using mechanical guards.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1478,"2026-06-09T07:04:10.527Z",1,"novelbin.me","5061377a34a3ff76bb8fe8e4e103c6de61af683bdabd6446d4d62073eb29a451","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-542","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-540",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]