[{"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-602":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},1848617,2454,"Chapter 602","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-602",602,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 602: Common Sense (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—W-what…? A crest alone is enough? What kind of nonsense is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen broke into a cold sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone who lived by strict pragmatism, the idea of overcoming a life-or-death crisis with what was essentially bluffing was completely unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Does that crest even do anything? No, it doesn’t. I get what you’re trying to say, but this is real combat. The moment they start firing ship cannons, we’re dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had roamed across space for a long time, sure—but he’d never lived as a true powerhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he could say something like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know just how much power the crest of a true strongman carried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, Yeongwoo—an aspiring powerhouse himself—knew very well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that the Chairman, who valued appearances above all else, had handed down only the crest meant one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. This is real combat. Which is exactly why the Chairman’s crest alone is sufficient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A distress signal ship suddenly bearing Dogo’s crest—what do you think that means? It means the ship has been seized in the Chairman’s name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—But… the Chairman himself isn’t here. And none of his subordinates are either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Instead, his clear intent is here. Touch this ship, and it’ll be considered an attack on Dogo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even Yeongwoo didn’t actually know the precise balance of power between Dogo and Salzeo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But I believe in it. The Chairman’s bluff—no, his real influence!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That said, Kejen was right about one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment, they only had Dogo’s crest—no actual backing force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant everything depended on how Salzeo responded after confirming that crest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cockpit radar suddenly flashed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Damn it. They’re really here this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen pointed at the radar with a tense expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even to Yeongwoo, who knew little about navigation, it was obvious: Salzeo’s fleet was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not just one or two ships…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—It’s not their main force, but it’s probably Salzeo’s vanguard fleet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who the hell was riding this ship for a fleet to be stationed nearby?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—No idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they’d chosen a different ship in the hangar back then, they wouldn’t even be having this headache of speculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Either Salzeo’s young lord was aboard, or it belonged to a very influential retainer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoever it was, they must be furious—to chase us with a whole fleet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You idiot, this ship itself is insanely expensive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, right. Katangdal hull capacity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratching his cheek, Yeongwoo pointed toward the sun, still visible as a bright dot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, wouldn’t it be enough to reach the planetary ship and slip away before they fire? We can do interstellar jumps, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The planetary ship was built on a planetary scale, unlike ordinary vessels, and could perform interstellar jumps multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they reached it, escape would be possible—one way or another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You think Salzeo is some backwater house? At this distance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen was just about to scowl when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyuuaaaaaak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a tearing sound Yeongwoo had never heard before, the view outside the cockpit turned blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen and the advanced orcs stared, mouths agape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—T-this is…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Combat maneuvering. Basic movement for high-level fleets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he finished speaking than white beams stretched horizontally across the blue-tinted space, and ships appeared one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combat maneuvering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A form of instantaneous jump over a fixed distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh. That’s why you said it was dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—With a ship this small, you can’t shake off a combat fleet. We’re guaranteed to get caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how does a thief like you recognize fleet maneuvers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I once stole the royal seal. Do you really think I’ve never been chased by a fleet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fair enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bzzzzzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an ominous warning tone, the surrounding fleets locked red targeting lasers onto their ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Damn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Kejen tried to slow the ship by pushing the controls, Yeongwoo grabbed his arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—What about you?! Can’t you see the cannons aimed right at our heads?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So? Did they fire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…Huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they were going to kill us, they’d have fired already. That’s just intimidation—to protect their pride.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen’s pupils, dilated with tension, darted between Yeongwoo and the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—B-but, damn it, we only have one life! One wrong move and we’ll be space dust!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then shouldn’t we look for a bold way out? Don’t forget—we’re flying under Dogo’s crest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Yeongwoo added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Act like we really are Dogo. That’s how we survive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he said this, Yeongwoo straightened his back as if he were the Chairman himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We haven’t been fired on because of the Chairman’s crest. So naturally, we should act like Dogo. Intimidate them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed his hand on the controls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t slow down—but don’t speed up like you’re panicking either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—So… just cruise calmly? With targeting reticles on our foreheads?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It might actually be Salzeo who’s nervous right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are we heading right now with Dogo’s crest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, everyone—including Kejen—naturally looked forward through the cockpit window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the star that had once been the center of the solar system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Toward… the planetary ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Salzeo’s fleet will soon realize our destination is the planetary ship. To them, this whole situation is completely unpredictable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in space, unpredictability meant fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The planetary ship—called the frontier of the universe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Dogo—the infamous space gangster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sources of unpredictability had just converged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once we enter the planetary ship’s domain, they won’t be able to follow us. I guarantee it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—What good is a guarantee if we die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then take this chance to experience the miracle of defeating enemies with nothing but a name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with Yeongwoo’s absolute confidence, Kejen had nothing to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, standing in the middle of a firing line, there were no alternatives anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Just maintain this speed and keep going?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. That’s all. At this point, Salzeo’s fleet is basically escorting us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You can really think of it that way…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kejen shook his head and stared ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was truly because of Dogo’s crest or not, Salzeo’s fleet made no move beyond intimidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply followed at a fixed distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounding the ship on all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Th-this is truly bizarre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amana fluffed up all her feathers while peering outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even she had never experienced such a prolonged standoff at close range with hostile ships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—this wasn’t a standoff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Yeongwoo said, it might as well be an escort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—My god. Because of Salzeo’s fleet, no one else can even approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching the radar for a while, Kejen muttered in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This area bordered the Black Zone, so traffic was heavy—but every ship approaching this route hastily altered course once they entered a certain range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Looks like other ships’ radars are picking up Salzeo’s fleet from that distance. They wouldn’t see Dogo’s crest from there… they’re dodging whatever they see on radar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the radar point Kejen indicated, clusters of dots scattered away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was detouring far around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t all those ships headed for the Black Zone? And they’re still avoiding Salzeo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—That’s the kind of opponent you provoked without fear. Salzeo’s status is high—but their revenge system is notorious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The one where they always take revenge? But still…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo looked at the ships outside, firing intimidating targeting beams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were openly stealing right in front of Salzeo’s fleet—yet instead of revenge, they were being escorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I guess there really is no such thing as ‘absolute’ in this universe. There are always exceptions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—They may have yielded to Dogo’s name, but they’ll definitely take revenge someday. And if they ever realize this wasn’t actually Dogo…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By then, I’ll be strong enough. What’s there to worry about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, one side of the cockpit glass flashed white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pap—pap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Salzeo’s fleet is trying to open a comm channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A phone call?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Don’t answer. The moment they see us, they’ll know we’re not Dogo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo pointed to the glowing wedge-shaped crest on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Dogo’s promotional ambassador. What are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—But you’re not the Chairman’s direct subordinate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, I received Dogo’s crest. The Chairman would want me to act boldly—like Dogo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Yeongwoo reached toward the flashing glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light stopped abruptly, and someone appeared across the entire screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver-white scale armor like a hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath it, blue skin—its hue strangely reminiscent of seawater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s… Salzeo? At least it’s got two eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo muttered, Kejen kicked his calf lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—They can hear everything you say…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, the figure on the screen finally spoke in a sharp voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「I am Ashki Salzeo, vanguard fleet commander of House Salzeo. I find myself curious. Why is ‘Dogo’ testing us?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of a cosmic noble house—one infamous for absolute revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the opponent might be Dogo’s elite, his posture wasn’t submissive in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo stepped to the center of the screen so Ashki could see him clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah—there seems to be a misunderstanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Yeongwoo spoke, Ashki’s brow twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「You are not ‘Dogo.’」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single line told him everything—Yeongwoo wasn’t a direct subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Shit. How’d he know? Is my presence still lacking?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though inwardly startled, Yeongwoo forced himself closer to the screen, feigning calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, asshole. Is there some kind of Dogo certification? If you revere the Chairman with all your heart, that is Dogo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing Yeongwoo’s flippant tone, Ashki made a small gesture off-screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「It seems that even Dogo makes mistakes from time to time.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo instantly realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That gesture had been a firing order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, you bastard! Do you know who I am?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the ship, a massive energy surge erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Salzeo’s vanguard fleet had begun preparing to fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Is there any need to know the name of the dead?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-you—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo realized he’d picked the wrong opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That kind of line belonged to someone like the Chairman himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I’m saying, I’m the planetary—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Yeongwoo was about to reveal his background, Ashki abruptly turned his head, having received some report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost simultaneously—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KWAEEEEEEEEEK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive blue laser—large enough to rival a capital ship—barely skimmed through the gaps between Salzeo’s fleet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「What is this……?」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ashki looked momentarily shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Earth spoke within Yeongwoo’s consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ I fired it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ It was an urgent recommendation from Mr. Mantero. If we didn’t perform a warning shot, we’d lose the owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That energy had come from the legendary cannon mounted on the planetary ship—Planet Hunter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Planet Hunter」 - Legendary cannon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Output: 4100】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Max charge: 4】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Firing time: 3 seconds】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Energy Requirement: 1700】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Manufacturer: Toma】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Earth continued in a serious tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ You know, right? Three shots left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What? Our ammunition?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>○ Yeah. So get here before we use all three. If you fail… we’ll have no choice but to select a new owner. Fortunately, Ms. Jiseon is present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1841,"2026-06-09T07:04:16.329Z",1,"novelbin.me","18fc0179cbfcfb21a9cf1968708ee5f7639dde4ff7ce2b428d67cc2ad7653433","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-652","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-651",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]