[{"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-9":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},1848188,2454,"Chapter 9","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>[Translator – Peptobismol]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 9: The Level 4 Extra (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was irresistible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo couldn’t tear his eyes away from Yechan’s destiny record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creation… In ’06, alteration due to forced adultery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annihilation… In ’39, killed a customer at a bar and committed su***de.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, Yechan was a product of assault, and perhaps because of that, he was abandoned in the world as an orphan, growing up he was destined to kill a customer at a bar and then commit su***de around his mid-thirties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Yeongwoo’s destiny of being murdered by a drunkard three years later was shocking, but it couldn’t compare to Yechan’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I guess he didn’t know either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yechan’s gaze fixated on the phrase ‘forced adultery,’ Yeongwoo swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could he be thinking right now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… is crazy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… was going to die next month?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who decided this? Does it make sense that the future was predetermined?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area that had been quiet for a while began to stir again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was greatly shocked by the realization that their origins and endings had all been predetermined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But where was this place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the world after the reset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A world with dragons and quests, where swords rained down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, anything could happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And one of those things had already occurred. No, it had been confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His predetermined destiny, and his role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the midst of the previously bustling area, silence returned rather quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Park Dohwan, who had been silently observing everyone, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―I apologize deeply to everyone. I understand that those who glimpsed at their gloomy destiny must be greatly disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―On the contrary, those who were destined for a prosperous life have lost it due to the reset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This means that in the reset world, the previous destinies were no longer valid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some reacted to this immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, what happens now? Since there’s no destiny, are we just supposed to live however we want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, even if destiny has disappeared, people are still the same, right? Those born as level 1 will probably still have their level 1 settings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. The hierarchy hasn’t been reset completely. So, what’s the point of all this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This argument had a lot of logic behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Yeongwoo faced disadvantages due to his unchanged physical condition during running or physical fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was a real problem beyond that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if destiny is gone, what should we do to live from now on? Money, food, everything turned to stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Where do we earn money now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of people armed with various weapons worrying about survival was so bizarre that it was almost comical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, as if Park Dohwan had been waiting, he lightly applauded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contents of the destiny records, which had been displayed to everyone, disappeared, replaced by various sequences of numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From as low as 0 to as high as 100,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo’s count was 153,000.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[153,000]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And upon seeing this, Yeongwoo immediately realized what the number meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…The accumulated karma.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a simple amount either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a figure that even took into account his contract with Yechan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The transaction between the two that was merely verbal had automatically reflected in the destiny record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―What is now inscribed in your destiny records is the amount of karma you have secured at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―In the future, you can use this karma to change your appearance, enhance your physical abilities, and even further, restore items from the previous world that have turned into stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Change your appearance and enhance your physical abilities?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Yeongwoo made an incredulous expression, people quickly began asking questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about those who don’t have karma right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where can we get more karma?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the holographic figure of the president lightly clapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[00:25:19]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with the clap, a massive timer appeared in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned towards it, and Park Dohwan explained further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―The only way to acquire karma is by defeating mutants and monsters that will appear about 25 minutes from now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mutants?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this all about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all raised an eyebrow, yet their expressions hinted at something ominous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subconsciously, they understood the meaning behind those lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Yeongwoo felt the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…They’re coming back, those who chose mutation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annihilation, mutation, dismantle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People who were forcibly dragged by the public to stand before these three choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, those who chose to become monsters through ‘mutation’ were in a state of immense anger at the situation they found themselves in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, what would those individuals do when they returned to this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Seek revenge.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo scanned his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt he finally understood the reason for the supply of weapons through the Sword Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Most mutants will appear alongside groups of similar-type monsters and these monsters, too, will leave karma behind when annihilated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh-what are you talking about… Fighting monsters to earn money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about those who don’t want to fight? Or those who can’t fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expected responses followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody wanted to earn money by fighting monsters instead of going to work. But the disaster that befell everyone wasn’t over yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Park Dohwan clapped once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, a series of numbers appeared under the timer in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[1,000]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Starting tomorrow, a tax of 1,000 karma will be automatically collected every night at 10 p.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Failure to pay the tax at the collection point will lead to immediate annihilation, so it’s essential to secure karma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like a bolt from the blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been given a basic living fund of only 3,000 karma, and even that wasn’t entirely secured due to chaos at the currency exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if they didn’t fight monsters, they would die within a few days due to unpaid taxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Now, there are 22 minutes left until the mutants return. I wish you all the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, Park Dohwan’s form blurred, and the ’Rookie Soldier’ quest was completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Quest Complete – “Rookie Soldier”]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Reward Issued]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|Survival Gear\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sssshhh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the change in quest text, everyone was suddenly given a waistband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a kind of simple sheath with an iron ring to insert weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this supposed to be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Survival gear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the moment of dissatisfaction with the quest reward being below expectations…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, an enormous roar echoed from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of huge pillars of light began to rain down on various parts of Gumi City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it again this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People didn’t dwell on it for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could understand that those were the locations where monsters would appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the light columns even shone on a spot less than 10 meters away from their current location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R-run away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming majority followed their instincts and chose to flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Yeongwoo was an exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Run away? The only way to earn money is by fighting monsters. We have to pay taxes every day starting tomorrow, so what’s the point of running away?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this was a thought that only Yeongwoo, among others, could entertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Peptobismol]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, he had diligently accumulated ‘success experiences’ in the reset world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obtaining an Early Bird at the currency exchange, securing a shield at the Sword Mountain, and even winning a 1-on-3 battle to become the Strongest Sword of Gumi…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, it was natural for him to consider the threats of this world as something not merely to fear and avoid but to overcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it seemed his instinct based on the Level 4 settings did not seem to want to go any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, his hand holding the Early Bird was trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The combat power of the monsters might not be unbelievably high. Wouldn’t it at least be at a level where the average person would have a chance? Since they said monster hunting is the only source of karma.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the information Park Dohwan had provided, Yeongwoo surveyed the area around the column of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, he belatedly noticed Yechan standing a short distance away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to be staring blankly at the spot where his destiny record had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he still in shock from learning about the ‘secrets of his birth’?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo cautiously touched Yechan’s shoulder and, then, the eyes of the boy, who had looked like a dead man a moment ago, seemed to come back to life slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it was Yechan’s turn to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you okay, Mister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Oh, I’m just…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mother, a Level 1 Supporting Role, and his father, a Level 6 Extra. Yeongwoo was also curious about his own background, but it was a secondary issue at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[00:19:26]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the swarms of mutants and monsters were scheduled to appear in 19 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, as promised, let’s do the settlement. You’ve worked hard too so far. I’m grateful too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yeongwoo opened his backpack and took out the coins corresponding to the customer’s share, Yechan seemed surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Didn’t you say that you would do the settlement in a safe place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there a place safer than here right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to refute Yeongwoo’s words while scanning the surroundings to question him, Yechan soon had to close his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments ago, the area had been crowded with people, but now they had all fled, leaving it empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take this for now. My hands are tied up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he turned his head, he saw Yeongwoo clutching the coins in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant Yeongwoo didn’t want him to be left unarmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yechan hastily took the coins, Yeongwoo, now with empty hands, pulled out the Early Bird from the scabbard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll rest here for a bit and then take on the monsters. Now that you can handle yourself, go wherever you want. Our security contract ends here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, Yeongwoo sat down in his spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he kept an eye on Yechan, probably prepared for any sudden attacks. His right hand gripped the Early Bird, and his left hand held the shield firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Yechan hesitated for a moment before settling down on the ground, following Yeongwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how strong you are, wouldn’t it be dangerous to stay here alone? It might be safer to go where there are more people…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was that with more people around, the attention of the monsters would at least be divided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yeongwoo thought differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The more people there are, the higher the chance of being ambushed from behind. The number of monsters we have to deal with might increase as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, Yeongwoo intended to wait here and confront the monster from one of the pillars of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even so…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yechan initially considered Yeongwoo excessively reckless but quickly reconsidered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, this man was the Gumi’s Strongest Sword. A title that can only be inherited through murder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, it was evident that showing one’s back to the people and fighting the monsters would lead to an inevitable ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yechan cautiously began to withdraw, Yeongwoo continued to gaze as if urging him to keep speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about someone fighting from the side, not from behind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the side? Are you planning to stay here and fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeongwoo scratched his chin, staring directly at Yechan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One person from the side might be fine. But if I make a wrong judgment, you could end up in a deadly situation. Think carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this, Yechan responded with a somewhat bitter smile, speaking almost as a murmur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, if it weren’t for you, I would’ve ended up dead anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he referring to what was written in the destiny record, or to what happened at the Sword Mountain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yeongwoo’s expression stiffen, Yechan made an effort to raise his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, I was joking. By the way, after hearing that explanation earlier, about enhancing physical abilities with karma, can it really be done?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an awkward change of topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since Yeongwoo seemed inwardly curious, he picked a coin from his backpack and examined it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He probably wasn’t lying… but he disappeared without explaining how to use it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson coin the size of a five hundred won coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was nothing on the back, only a single horizontal line inscribed in the center of the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is this a representation of 1,000 karma?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yechan pressed the coin with his fingers, but nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when he tried tossing it on the ground or pressing it against his arm, nothing seemed to reveal its purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the special function of karma could be activated merely through physical contact, they’d have known the moment they picked it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How am I supposed to use this? At this rate, my baggage will only get heavier. People without bags will be in real trouble. I can’t get rid of this by eating or anything…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yechan contemplated this, he was caught off guard by a sudden thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this be eaten?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said to be used to change appearance and enhance physical abilities, so it wasn’t entirely implausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the current world, did it really matter if it made sense or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Yeongwoo put the coin in his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could even bite down on the coin, something happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Peptobismol]\u003C\u002Fp>",2232,"2026-06-09T07:03:45.574Z",1,"novelbin.me","59652dd98ffbca0e147a848675cca4277ccc60fffbb572d4c445eee4ae946b16","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-116","level-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-chapter-115",688,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flevel-4-human-in-a-ruined-world-cover.jpg"]