Chapter 322
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Chapter 322: Special Planet (4)
It was inevitable.
Someone had to enter the coffin.
Because of the effort to keep his mother alive, the empty spot in Aratubank had never been filled.
【Coffin】
| You can place blood relatives into the coffin. Special effects are granted depending on the phase and condition of the stored targets. (0/2)
‘Aratubank is a sacred artifact containing my brothers’ kin's history and his ancestors' spirits. I can't just leave it neglected like this.’
Thus, the fate of the second uncle was as good as sealed.
He was destined to be sealed in the Great Coffin.
Shh.
At last, Yeongwoo looked back at Kubu.
Then he asked, wrapping up the preparations for the ceremony.
"Is everything finished now? Earlier, you mentioned something about witnesses. Do they serve a special role?"
—That is correct. A minimum of five witnesses are required for the union ceremony, and these witnesses are automatically selected from the first guests to arrive at the ceremony.
"So it’s first come, first served among the guests."
—Selected guests are recorded on both the list of blessed participants and the list of witnesses. This record may also be used as a reference in future family court cases.
"What? Does that mean the witnesses are seen as having a significant connection to the married couple?"
He had a vague understanding of the concept.
For example, suppose a prominent politician attended the wedding of a famous criminal.
Everyone would naturally assume there was a strong connection between the two.
In a similar vein, even in space, a guest witnessing the ceremony—and especially being selected as a witness on a first-come basis—was seen as having a notable relationship with the hosts or the newlyweds.
"Does this mean there's going to be a scramble to enter late, so they can avoid being witnesses?"
For Yeongwoo, the only witness who came to mind immediately was Chairman Dogo.
As the chairman, he would behave however he liked, whether he was selected as a witness or not.
However, it was unclear if he could serve as both a witness and a guarantor.
"So at least five guests need to step up and take responsibility. Becoming a witness might be a disadvantage if there’s ever a trial."
—It’s a sign of trust and loyalty.
"But a lot of my guests are borderline criminals."
The idea of a trial might feel remote to benevolent aliens, but the aliens Yeongwoo knew had different stakes.
This was because many of the primary guests were from weapon-making companies involved in all sorts of shady business or bribed planet inspectors.
"Anyway, the ceremony will proceed as scheduled tomorrow. The current time is…."
The current time, 3:23 PM.
As Yeongwoo checked the time and looked at Kubu, his eyes flashed blue as he answered.
—Arrangements have been made. The union ceremony will take place at 3:23 PM tomorrow.
Then, Kubu asked Yeongwoo for the ceremony venue.
—Where would you like the union ceremony to be held? As your administrative representative, I must provide the coordinates to the family court.
"Oh, right? We have to decide the location too."
Yeongwoo scanned the iron-clad expanse of Metal Seoul with his eyes.
And soon made up his mind.
"How about Gwangjin District? If a fight breaks out, there won’t be anyone hurt besides the guests, and there’s nothing but buildings to be destroyed there."
—Understood. The union ceremony location will be reported as Gwangjin District.
Thus, the wedding venue for Jeonggu and Jiseon was confirmed to be Gwangjin District.
Although neither of their preferences were reflected, they understood there were no other choices.
—Looks like all sorts of scoundrels will come to my wedding.
Jiseon muttered under her breath, and Yeongwoo shook his head.
"That's precisely why it’s more meaningful. This wedding will significantly impact our planet’s rank."
—What are you talking about?
"You saw the guest list earlier, right? The mere gathering of those people in one place is already a massive event. It will surely influence the evaluation."
Other planets that requested ranking reviews may also have considerable influence, but there's always a limit.
Yeongwoo was certain not many planets would gather the universe's worst villains under the guise of a parent’s wedding.
"Now, the only thing left…."
Yeongwoo looked at the clock again, and Jiseon was startled.
—Isn’t everything done? What else is there?
"We’re mostly finished with the wedding preparations."
—Right…?
"But today’s tasks aren’t over yet."
The current time, 3:27 PM.
About three hours and thirty minutes later, the addresses of the three companies competing for Earth’s development rights would be revealed.
"From 7 PM tonight, the real battle begins. I don’t know how it will play out…."
—What? The ceremony is tomorrow, but the battle starts today? What the hell is this?
"It’s okay. I’ve invited our opponents as guests, so there won’t be any issues with the ceremony itself."
—What?
"Though we do have to make it through tonight."
At that moment, as Yeongwoo spoke, the “Tower” in Jongno District began to shine white.
Someone was using a high-speed transit route to get there.
And then.
Poof!
The lower wall of the tower opened, and from within emerged Bantubangtong.
“Master Bang!”
Yeongwoo ran to greet the Orc Lord, who likely brought 120 million in tow, while rows of red-footed orcs followed behind him, carrying large bags.
—Small Foot, I brought the money as promised.
“Money? Let’s call it ‘sentiment.’ What flows between us is only sentiment.”
—….
Bantubangtong, expressing his stance with silence, moved past Yeongwoo to open the bags his brothers laid down.
Whoosh!
As expected, coins were packed densely inside the bags, filling his view, and soon a golden goblin ran over, scooping up the money eagerly.
—Kekek!
With a delighted sound, the goblin, thrilled by the massive haul, made the brothers’ faces harden.
Noticing this, Master Bang quickly turned around.
—I think my business here is done, so I shall return. There’s work to be done on Great Darwin….
But Yeongwoo’s dark hand gripped his shoulder, preventing any further movement.
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“What are you talking about, chief?”
—…?
“You still have one more promise to keep.”
—What might that be?
“Leave behind your Honor Points.”
—Oh.
Master Bang looked as if he was regretting his choices.
For a moment, he’d forgotten.
That he had once traded his past to this demon to secure his future.
—Indeed. I almost forgot.
“Are you already starting to forget the past? And you haven’t even handed it over yet.”
—…Just get on with what needs to be done.
Bang, the Great Ally, began walking toward the Victory Monument visible in the distance, and Yeongwoo, after glancing briefly at the sky where the inspectors might be watching, followed him.
Who knew?
Perhaps even this act of donating Glory Points would reflect well in the evaluation.
‘Just meeting the first-tier score is hard enough… but the points chief Bang is donating this time are far beyond the total needed for the first tier.’
It was only possible because it involved pouring in the entire magnificent history of a race.
This was a huge deal by the standards of a lower-level planet entering the evaluation phase.
Currently, the Glory Points of Metal Seoul, the Special City of Dogo, stood at 1,025, surpassing the 1,000 points required for the first tier.
And the points needed to reach the second tier?
A staggering 3,000.
That meant they were about 2,000 points short.
“How many records of disposals do you have right now, Master Bang?”
—Twelve.
“That’s 1,980 points then.”
—Is that so? How many are needed to fill the second tier?
“With the 1,000 points already secured from passing the first tier, if you donate all twelve records, we’ll be able to go past the second tier.”
—Hm.
Hearing Yeongwoo’s reply, Bantubangtong wore a somber expression.
It was troubling to realize that even pouring in the historic achievements of the Redfoot clan would only barely clear the second tier.
—The universe… is indeed vast.
A way for the Chief Bang to express regret.
In response, Yeongwoo put a comforting hand on Master Bang’s shoulder.
“You’ll roam that vast universe with me. And with our brothers too.”
Just as the Mon’o race warriors had the infamous space pirate Guppy, Jeong Yeongwoo of the remote planet Earth had the Redfoot Orcs.
With fervent hearts and bulging biceps.
Yeongwoo was convinced his Redfoot brothers had all the makings of true space gangsters.
‘Although a gangster with “honor.” Some might call such people hoodlums.’
In other words, space hoodlums.
“……”
Yeongwoo’s chest swelled with pride.
Meanwhile, Bang stood tall in front of the Victory Monument.
—Even if it’s not the right thing, a promise must be kept. I know well enough that you’re not exactly a righteous person, but still, you’ll keep your word.
As Bang spoke to the creature with small feet, Yeongwoo nodded.
“That’s also part of ‘honor.’”
Yeongwoo gestured toward the Victory Monument with a nod, signaling for Bang to continue.
With a resolute expression, Bang placed his hand on the monument’s surface.
Thud.
―Legendary Disposal Records of the Redfoot Orc Lord Bantubangtong have been inscribed: 12 records in total!
‘…At last.’
With the donation of Master Bang’s records, the Glory Points of Metal Seoul in Special City Dogo soared.
From the initial 1,025 points, an astonishing 1,980 were added, surpassing the 3,000 mark.
―Current Glory Points of Metal Seoul, Special City Dogo: 3,005.
―The level of the Victory Monument has increased to ‘3’. Glory Points needed for the next phase: 7,000.
“What, 7,000 points?”
The hurdle grew sharply with each level.
Now, they needed to collect an additional 4,000 points to even think about advancing to the next level.
‘What kind of species are we supposed to plunder next to gather that many points?’
As Yeongwoo gaped in shock, the city system displayed a new message.
―The level of Metal Seoul has increased to ‘3’. As the city’s prestige has risen, ‘defense rights’ have been granted.
“Defense rights? Does that mean we didn’t even have any defense rights until now?”
Barely after Yeongwoo blurted this out, the system displayed a series of highly satisfying messages.
◇ The core power source of this city, the ‘Steel Core’, has enhanced functions, including Guardian Dragon Mode and Annihilation Stance.
“Oh?”
◇ Priority construction options for the city’s defense rights are recommended: Anti-Aircraft Gun, Suicide Bomb.
“Wow…!”
Yeongwoo instinctively cheered at the sight of the new construction options but then blinked, tilting his head in confusion.
“Wait, hold on.”
He hadn’t seen it wrong.
*Suicide Bomb.
“Suicide bomb? Does that mean it’s the ‘suicide’ I’m thinking of?”
With eyes wide in disbelief, Yeongwoo’s gaze fell on the tooltip for ‘Suicide Bomb’ that appeared before him.
[Suicide Bomb]
|A city that has proven its worth has the right to choose a grand finale.
|Plant a bomb in the designated area, and trigger a powerful explosion at the desired moment. Though you may lose the city, you can also take the invaders with it.
*Once the city’s prestige reaches ‘Planet Capital’, the planet itself can be self-destructed.
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