Chapter 319
Chapter 319
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 319
Chapter Title: 72. Special Grade Planet (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The initial bribe amount proposed by the examiners: 5 billion.
And the final settled amount: 2 billion.
That meant the typical bribe rate for an 11th-grade civil servant was somewhere in between.
If the head of Dogo Corporation hadn't been the kind of villain who beat up civil servants, the actual bribe would probably have been over 3 billion.
‘Even from the examiners' perspective, this is just money squeezed from one of countless planets… The scale of bribes flowing through here is insanely massive.’
Young-woo marveled at having glimpsed a world so vast he couldn't even fathom it.
And most importantly.
‘Either way, the company has shelled out a massive investment.’
Sure, 2 billion might be pocket change at the company level, but everything's relative, right?
Under his current contract, Young-woo's weekly pay was conditionally up to 400 million.
Yet the company had dropped 2 billion in a lump sum just for this lobbying effort.
This signified that the importance of Jeong Young-woo07, once merely an ad model, had skyrocketed far beyond his stated salary.
‘I'm not just an ad model anymore. When it comes to planet development rights, I'm a business partner too.’
Still, there had to be a reason the company agreed to Young-woo's unilateral proxy lobbying request.
Either the profits from the planet development rights were enormous, or...
‘It just means I'm receiving tremendous favor from the chairman.’
As Young-woo smirked inwardly like this, 'Black Eyes' Desirak, having finished his business, looked down at the Earthling who had just funneled 2 billion into 「Dogo」 in one go.
―Now is the time to prove your worth. Make sure the planet upgrade succeeds.
“Uh… Even after feeding you that much money, is it possible we won't get promoted?”
―The law can't turn the impossible into the possible.
No matter the lobbying, a planet below the required level simply wouldn't advance.
‘But with Dogo already invested here, and me—the client—wearing Besedel armor, doesn't that put us above average?’
As Young-woo thought this, Desirak, who had somehow caught on, added.
―Don't overlook that the other planets being compared mostly requested the review on their own merits.
“Ah.”
Only then did Young-woo snap to attention.
Come to think of it, that made sense.
Just as they had gathered glory points to enter the review queue, the other candidates must have done something impressive to summon the examiners too.
The only difference was the disposition of the representative who led the request, but any planet reaching this stage had to have some notable achievements.
“Yeah, you're right. Planets that can pull off a review costing at least 2 billion in bribes alone can't be ordinary.”
As Young-woo nodded, Desirak, confirming the message had landed, prepared to depart.
Swoosh.
He lifted his massive head and gazed at the sky.
The heavens, previously obscured by the examiners' ships, now cleared into view.
“Huh? The ships.”
―They're starting their duties. You move too.
With that, Desirak's body became enveloped in light, and Young-woo hurriedly asked.
“Section Chief! Are you a felon?”
Desirak, the military supply section chief, turned his head slightly amid the glow to look at Young-woo.
―Show some respect! It might be a medal to some, but not to me.
“Uh, so you are a felon? How did you survive...?”
Young-woo's eyes widened as he reflexively asked, causing the light around Desirak's body to recede.
The pissed-off section chief had paused his departure.
Song Ji-seon, who had been watching from behind, came rushing over.
Splash!
―You stupid bastard!
Upon arrival, she smashed her massive fist into her son's face.
Pow!
Young-woo had seen his mother's fist coming but took it obediently, knowing he'd gotten carried away.
“Urk!”
But her punch stung plenty, and seizing the moment, Ji-seon kicked his shin while apologizing to Desirak.
―Section Chief, as his mother, I apologize on his behalf. This idiot just doesn't think. It won't happen again.
As she bowed deeply, repeatedly expressing her remorse, Desirak waved his chain armor flapping as he dismissed it.
―N-No, ma'am. Then I'll be off.
He glanced at Young-woo, then lifted his head to the sky once more.
Whoosh!
Light enveloped Desirak again.
In the blink of an eye, he was sucked up into the heavens.
“…He's gone?”
Sensing the massive presence vanish, Young-woo peeked up, and Ji-seon gazed at the spot in the sky where Desirak had disappeared, amazed.
―Even in space, there's the concept of parents? It works.
“The chairman himself is a Besedel bastard child. What, you think aliens grow on trees?”
―So that section chief guy has a mom and dad too?
“Probably.”
No matter how cosmic a being, they couldn't naturally display unfamiliar etiquette.
The 'ma'am' Desirak had just used was nearly perfect in tone and usage.
In other words, the section chief might be a dutiful son who honors his parents at home.
Even if outside, he was the type to threaten examiners to shut up and take bribes.
‘So… is the chairman the only one in our company who's an orphan?’
Besedel. Fallen royal house.
Young-woo had never met any other Besedel bloodline besides the chairman, so he could only assume.
From what the examiners had said earlier, Besedel's status as the former royal house was clear.
‘Talk about a rough life.’
Born the illegitimate son of a cosmic royal family, rose to crown prince, but lost the kingdom to some incident and ended up a space thug...
Young-woo had gained quite the cosmic perspective for a human, yet the chairman's life was still beyond comprehension.
What had happened to him, and what was he living for now?
“Anyway...”
Young-woo turned to those around him.
“As you all saw, our planet has officially entered the upgrade review. So, to succeed, we need to unite our efforts, right?”
“…….”
The whiff of schemes already soured the air, so no one spoke.
Young-woo pointed at Bang Tu Bang Tong first.
“Now, Great Hero Bang, head back to Australia and bring the 100 million. We need to settle our accounts.”
Bang Tu Bang Tong nodded without protest.
They had agreed to reimburse the money Young-woo spent opening Darwin's portal.
-And then?
“Hand the money to me, then dedicate the rest of your kill records to the Victory Monument.”
Young-woo had already benefited plenty from the high-speed lanes and Aratubank via the red-footed orcs, so he didn't plan harsher demands.
“And you.”
Next, he pointed at Ye-chan.
“From now until sunset, tour China's cities collecting money. I'll tell you which ones are already 'convinced.'”
Ye-chan tilted his head.
“What? Telling me the convinced ones separately means… you want me to hit the unconvinceds too?”
“Of course. If there's any unhandled mutants in a spot, take care of them and convince the rep. A couple duels should open dialogue.”
Young-woo held up three fingers.
“In return, I'll give you 30% commission on what you collect.”
“……!”
For the first time, Ye-chan's face lit up.
“Really?”
“Of course, but.”
Young-woo added.
“Use that money to meet as many merchants as possible, in China or wherever.”
“…Pardon?”
“And buy the gear you want. Obviously for your own use.”
“Then what?”
Ye-chan eyed him warily again.
He was starting to get the uncle's patterns.
The uncle from Gumi wasn't ordinary, but Metal Seoul's market lord was absolutely no sucker.
And indeed.
“You might spot rare gear now and then. Buy any you see and bring it.”
The reason Young-woo offered high commission was to source gear through him.
“Rare gear?”
“Like ability damage amps, convert damage to ability, that sort. You'll know it when you see it.”
“…That sounds insanely expensive.”
“If you run short, bill me. Securing that gear is the priority.”
Even with hyperlanes, collecting from cities continent-wide would take time.
But Young-woo had no spare moments, handling mutants daily, alien forces, and dungeons at night.
So he decided to fully leverage Ye-chan, a deep tie from the reset world with top-notch skill.
“No, while I'm sweating my soles off, what're you doing?”
“Dealing with crazy aliens and hunting down planet stake holders.”
“…….”
Ye-chan was speechless.
Fair enough—Young-woo was irreplaceable right now.
“Like I said, if you portal to a first-time city and the tower's scratched, GTFO and report to me immediately.”
“That means an opponent I can't beat, right?”
Ye-chan's line carried defiance and bravado, so Young-woo stressed it with a worried look.
“No joke—you absolutely can't win. Scratching a tower means they've got myth-level something.”
“…….”
“So be careful. Especially with my money on you.”
“Got it.”
Ye-chan nodded reluctantly, and finally Young-woo's gaze reached his father, crouching awkwardly, and his mother, radiating chill.
“Both of you, come here.”
He pointed at the ground before him, and Jeong Gu glanced around nervously before approaching.
Ji-seon, however.
―What now?
Sensing it, she spat unpleasantly.
She knew exactly what this son would demand of her.
Finally, Young-woo opened his mouth with a gravely serious expression.
“I used to get massive tax breaks as an orphan. But not anymore. Because you're both alive, I have to pay huge taxes starting today.”
“…….”
―So?
“Right now, I'm doing high-value filial piety. So you two need to show some parental love. And it costs nothing.”
―Fuck.
Ji-seon exhaled bitterly, realizing it had arrived, and Jeong Gu squeezed his eyes shut.
“M-Marriage… right?”
Jeong Gu asked with eyes closed, and his son's voice overlaid the darkness.
“Yes.”
Short, but thunderous.
Had he ever heard anything so terrifying in his life?
“Hoo…”
Jeong Gu's fingertips trembled faintly.
Then Ji-seon brutally yanked his neck and growled.
―Hey, you think you're the only one screwed? Don't flip out alone—stay quiet.
“J-Ji-seon.”
―Don't say my name!
As Ji-seon's armor interior flushed blue with rage again, Young-woo dashed in to rescue Jeong Gu.
“Whoa, come on! Calm down, both of you!”
He then scolded Jeong Gu.
“Dad's in the wrong here. Why call Mom by name?”
“Then…?”
―What?
The uncle's calm tone usually meant dogshit ahead.
And their premonition hit spot-on.
“Don't you get it? We're family now. So.”
Young-woo alternated meaningful looks between mother and father.
“From now on, call each other 'honey.' That's an order from your son.”