Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

Chapter 9

“Uh…”

It was irresistible.

Yeongwoo couldn’t tear his eyes away from Yechan’s destiny record.

Creation… In ’06, alteration due to forced adultery.

Annihilation… In ’39, killed a customer at a bar and committed su***de.

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.

Of course, Yeongwoo’s destiny of being murdered by a drunkard three years later was shocking, but it couldn’t compare to Yechan’s.

Moreover.

‘…I guess he didn’t know either.’

Seeing Yechan’s gaze fixated on the phrase ‘forced adultery,’ Yeongwoo swallowed hard.

What could he be thinking right now?

“This… is crazy.”

“I… was going to die next month?”

“Who decided this? Does it make sense that the future was predetermined?”

The area that had been quiet for a while began to stir again.

Everyone was greatly shocked by the realization that their origins and endings had all been predetermined.

But where was this place?

It was the world after the reset.

A world with dragons and quests, where swords rained down from the sky.

Here, anything could happen.

And one of those things had already occurred. No, it had been confirmed.

His predetermined destiny, and his role.

“….”

In the midst of the previously bustling area, silence returned rather quickly.

Then, Park Dohwan, who had been silently observing everyone, spoke up.

―I apologize deeply to everyone. I understand that those who glimpsed at their gloomy destiny must be greatly disappointed.

―On the contrary, those who were destined for a prosperous life have lost it due to the reset.

This means that in the reset world, the previous destinies were no longer valid.

Some reacted to this immediately.

“So, what happens now? Since there’s no destiny, are we just supposed to live however we want?”

“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.”

“That’s right. The hierarchy hasn’t been reset completely. So, what’s the point of all this?”

This argument had a lot of logic behind it.

Even Yeongwoo faced disadvantages due to his unchanged physical condition during running or physical fights.

And there was a real problem beyond that.

“Even if destiny is gone, what should we do to live from now on? Money, food, everything turned to stone.”

“Exactly. Where do we earn money now?”

The sight of people armed with various weapons worrying about survival was so bizarre that it was almost comical.

At this, as if Park Dohwan had been waiting, he lightly applauded.

Clap!

The contents of the destiny records, which had been displayed to everyone, disappeared, replaced by various sequences of numbers.

From as low as 0 to as high as 100,000.

Yeongwoo’s count was 153,000.

[153,000]

And upon seeing this, Yeongwoo immediately realized what the number meant.

‘…The accumulated karma.’

It wasn’t just a simple amount either.

This was a figure that even took into account his contract with Yechan.

The transaction between the two that was merely verbal had automatically reflected in the destiny record.

―What is now inscribed in your destiny records is the amount of karma you have secured at this moment.

―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.

‘Change your appearance and enhance your physical abilities?’

While Yeongwoo made an incredulous expression, people quickly began asking questions.

“What about those who don’t have karma right now?”

“Where can we get more karma?”

At this, the holographic figure of the president lightly clapped.

Clap!

[00:25:19]

Along with the clap, a massive timer appeared in the air.

All eyes turned towards it, and Park Dohwan explained further.

―The only way to acquire karma is by defeating mutants and monsters that will appear about 25 minutes from now.

“…Mutants?”

“What’s this all about?”

They all raised an eyebrow, yet their expressions hinted at something ominous.

Subconsciously, they understood the meaning behind those lines.

And Yeongwoo felt the same way.

‘…They’re coming back, those who chose mutation.’

Annihilation, mutation, dismantle.

People who were forcibly dragged by the public to stand before these three choices.

Among them, those who chose to become monsters through ‘mutation’ were in a state of immense anger at the situation they found themselves in.

So, what would those individuals do when they returned to this world?

‘…Seek revenge.’

Yeongwoo scanned his surroundings.

He felt he finally understood the reason for the supply of weapons through the Sword Mountain.

―Most mutants will appear alongside groups of similar-type monsters and these monsters, too, will leave karma behind when annihilated.

“Wh-what are you talking about… Fighting monsters to earn money?”

“What about those who don’t want to fight? Or those who can’t fight?”

Expected responses followed.

Nobody wanted to earn money by fighting monsters instead of going to work. But the disaster that befell everyone wasn’t over yet.

Clap!

Park Dohwan clapped once more.

Instantly, a series of numbers appeared under the timer in the air.

[1,000]

―Starting tomorrow, a tax of 1,000 karma will be automatically collected every night at 10 p.m.

―Failure to pay the tax at the collection point will lead to immediate annihilation, so it’s essential to secure karma.

“…!”

It was like a bolt from the blue.

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.

In other words, if they didn’t fight monsters, they would die within a few days due to unpaid taxes.

―Now, there are 22 minutes left until the mutants return. I wish you all the best.

With those words, Park Dohwan’s form blurred, and the ’Rookie Soldier’ quest was completed.

Ding!

[Quest Complete – “Rookie Soldier”]

[Reward Issued]

|Survival Gear

Sssshhh.

With the change in quest text, everyone was suddenly given a waistband.

It was a kind of simple sheath with an iron ring to insert weapons.

“Huh.”

“What’s this supposed to be?”

“Survival gear?”

At the moment of dissatisfaction with the quest reward being below expectations…

Wooong!

Immediately, an enormous roar echoed from the sky.

Dozens of huge pillars of light began to rain down on various parts of Gumi City.

What was it again this time?

People didn’t dwell on it for long.

Anyone could understand that those were the locations where monsters would appear.

One of the light columns even shone on a spot less than 10 meters away from their current location.

“Ahh!”

“R-run away!”

The overwhelming majority followed their instincts and chose to flee.

However, Yeongwoo was an exception.

‘…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?’

In fact, this was a thought that only Yeongwoo, among others, could entertain.

Because, he had diligently accumulated ‘success experiences’ in the reset world.

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…

Therefore, it was natural for him to consider the threats of this world as something not merely to fear and avoid but to overcome.

However, it seemed his instinct based on the Level 4 settings did not seem to want to go any further.

“….”

Even now, his hand holding the Early Bird was trembling.

‘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.’

Recalling the information Park Dohwan had provided, Yeongwoo surveyed the area around the column of light.

And then, he belatedly noticed Yechan standing a short distance away.

He seemed to be staring blankly at the spot where his destiny record had been.

Was he still in shock from learning about the ‘secrets of his birth’?

“…Are you okay?”

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.

“Uh… I’m fine.”

Then it was Yechan’s turn to ask.

“Are you okay, Mister?”

“Huh? Oh, I’m just…”

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.

[00:19:26]

Because the swarms of mutants and monsters were scheduled to appear in 19 minutes.

“First, as promised, let’s do the settlement. You’ve worked hard too so far. I’m grateful too.”

As Yeongwoo opened his backpack and took out the coins corresponding to the customer’s share, Yechan seemed surprised.

“…Didn’t you say that you would do the settlement in a safe place?”

“Is there a place safer than here right now?”

“No…”

Unable to refute Yeongwoo’s words while scanning the surroundings to question him, Yechan soon had to close his mouth.

Moments ago, the area had been crowded with people, but now they had all fled, leaving it empty.

“Take this for now. My hands are tied up.”

“What?”

When he turned his head, he saw Yeongwoo clutching the coins in his hands.

It meant Yeongwoo didn’t want him to be left unarmed.

“Oh…!”

As Yechan hastily took the coins, Yeongwoo, now with empty hands, pulled out the Early Bird from the scabbard.

“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.”

With those words, Yeongwoo sat down in his spot.

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.

At that, Yechan hesitated for a moment before settling down on the ground, following Yeongwoo.

“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…”

The implication was that with more people around, the attention of the monsters would at least be divided.

But Yeongwoo thought differently.

“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.”

So, Yeongwoo intended to wait here and confront the monster from one of the pillars of light.

‘Even so…’

Yechan initially considered Yeongwoo excessively reckless but quickly reconsidered.

Come to think of it, this man was the Gumi’s Strongest Sword. A title that can only be inherited through murder.

Therefore, it was evident that showing one’s back to the people and fighting the monsters would lead to an inevitable ambush.

“…Okay.”

As Yechan cautiously began to withdraw, Yeongwoo continued to gaze as if urging him to keep speaking.

“What about someone fighting from the side, not from behind?”

“From the side? Are you planning to stay here and fight?”

Yeongwoo scratched his chin, staring directly at Yechan.

Then he spoke again.

“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.”

To this, Yechan responded with a somewhat bitter smile, speaking almost as a murmur.

“Well, if it weren’t for you, I would’ve ended up dead anyway.”

“…”

Was he referring to what was written in the destiny record, or to what happened at the Sword Mountain?

Seeing Yeongwoo’s expression stiffen, Yechan made an effort to raise his voice.

“Hey, I was joking. By the way, after hearing that explanation earlier, about enhancing physical abilities with karma, can it really be done?”

It was an awkward change of topic.

But since Yeongwoo seemed inwardly curious, he picked a coin from his backpack and examined it.

“He probably wasn’t lying… but he disappeared without explaining how to use it.”

A crimson coin the size of a five hundred won coin.

There was nothing on the back, only a single horizontal line inscribed in the center of the front.

‘Is this a representation of 1,000 karma?’

Yechan pressed the coin with his fingers, but nothing happened.

Even when he tried tossing it on the ground or pressing it against his arm, nothing seemed to reveal its purpose.

If the special function of karma could be activated merely through physical contact, they’d have known the moment they picked it up.

‘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…’

As Yechan contemplated this, he was caught off guard by a sudden thought.

Could this be eaten?

It was said to be used to change appearance and enhance physical abilities, so it wasn’t entirely implausible.

‘…’

But in the current world, did it really matter if it made sense or not?

Without hesitation, Yeongwoo put the coin in his mouth.

Then.

Ding!

Before he could even bite down on the coin, something happened.