Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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Chapter 367: The Ultimate Evil of Promotion (3)

-Do... Go?

Amana tilted her head, opening her beak in curiosity.

Yeongwoo nodded in response.

"Yes, Dogo."

-What is Dogo?

"It is the name of my benefactor as well as the company sponsoring me."

Jeong Yeongwoo, No. 07 from Earth.

Noticing that this villain's tone had suddenly become uncharacteristically polite, Amana felt her feathers bristle with unease.

Something so awe-inspiring that even this scoundrel couldn’t help but show reverence—it terrified her to think such a thing existed in this universe.

-You have... a sponsor?

Much like Yeongwoo, Amana herself represented a lower-tier planet just beginning to brush against the vastness of the cosmos.

The universe, for her as well, was still a realm of the unknown.

-But why make everyone shout that sponsor's name?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yeongwoo took a deep breath, then spoke in a transcendent tone he hadn’t used in some time.

"「Dogo」 is a business. As Dogo's promotional model, it is my duty to make the brand's name shine and spread it far and wide."

Dogo.

A name that referred to both a galactic weapons manufacturer and a member of the royal Vesedel lineage who had founded the enterprise.

And the way Yeongwoo pronounced 「Dogo」 just now carried all these connotations at once.

-My... my goodness.

The owlbear from the sacred planetary patrol clacked her beak rapidly in shock.

To her, the existence of 「Dogo」 representing the pinnacle of violent enterprise, was unimaginable.

-Ah… Is this truly real?

-Un… Unbelievable.

Reading the sinister weight behind Yeongwoo’s utterance of 「Dogo」 both Aldo and Taru shuddered uncontrollably.

For beings who had lived only in worlds of light before stepping into the promotion grounds, this alternate universe—fraught with threats, extortion, assaults on officials, and arms dealing—was a nightmare beyond their wildest imagination.

And now, they realized for the first time that such a world had always existed on the other side of the cosmos.

"Do you understand now why I try to resolve everything with power?"

Yeongwoo, hailing from the dark side of the universe, swung Bastard menacingly as he shouted, causing Amana to gape in terror, her beak trembling.

-Y-you... really have a Karma Debt of 200 million…!

"200 million? That’s nothing, you fools! In the universe I come from—no, in the universe we live in—you can't even qualify for anything noteworthy with just 200 million!"

Of course, this only applied to mid-tier villains at best.

After all, Yeongwoo was already the supreme evil among representatives of lower-tier planets.

"Now, hurry up and propose the new rules."

Yeongwoo gestured alternately between Aldo and the game-maker with Bastard, prompting the poor second prince of the Shelbir Kingdom to furrow his brow.

-Apologies, but what did you say earlier...? Something about defeating the top team?

"If you eliminate the current top-ranked team, you’ll take their spot as number one."

-...Ah.

"That way, we won’t have to feel guilty about dealing with anyone who comes for us."

Aldo was about to raise the issue of the Karma Debt this might incur but quickly closed his mouth instead.

Then, following Yeongwoo's instructions, he placed his hand on the surface of the game-maker.

Tap.

With a flash of mysterious light, the spinning game-maker shone brightly and displayed a system message visible to all.

「The first participant is attempting to create the first rule. Do all team members agree?」

It seemed to be a confirmation protocol.

If even one team member disagreed, the rule wouldn’t proceed.

‘So unnecessarily systematic.’

「Do all team members agree?」

The game-maker repeated the question as silence lingered.

Yeongwoo, Amana, and Taru responded in succession.

"Yes."

-I agree.

-I agree as well!

Immediately, the game-maker spun faster, creating a large holographic box—a text field they had seen several times before.

Entering a rule here would establish the first new regulation for this advancement round.

"Let’s do it."

Yeongwoo tilted Bastard, urging Aldo to proceed.

Aldo, still frowning deeply, placed both hands on the game-maker.

-Make it so you can only become number one by defeating the current top-ranked team.

Aldo finally voiced the first rule.

Soon, a loud signal blared from the game-maker.

Beeeeep!

「The first rule of this advancement round has been successfully created.」

[To achieve first place in the advancement round, you must defeat the current top-ranked team.]

"Wow, it refines the input nicely,"

Yeongwoo remarked with satisfaction, glancing at Amana, who suddenly looked even more tense.

-My turn?

Amana cautiously approached the game-maker and placed her arms on it.

Tuk.

As before, the process of seeking consent from the team began.

Once everyone voiced their agreement, another text box appeared.

Fwoosh!

"I... I..."

Overwhelmed with nervousness, Amana hesitated, prompting Yeongwoo to assist her.

“Teams ranked second to fifth will be assigned based on the number of handshakes exchanged with other teams.”

-Oh.

Yeongwoo added a clarification.

"A handshake doesn’t have to involve the right hand. Any physical contact made with the body part typically used to hold a primary weapon counts, as long as the two parties separate without fighting."

This was a consideration for the diverse species in the cosmos, some of which might not even have arms or legs.

-Ah… I see.

Understanding Yeongwoo’s explanation, Amana clicked her beak a few times and then entered the second rule for the advancement round.

「The second rule of the promotion match has been newly entered.」

[For those ranked 2nd to 5th in the promotion match, rankings will be determined by the total number of "handshakes" executed.]

*Handshake: A gesture involving physical contact and greeting the opponent, followed by parting ways without engaging in combat.

“That’s… surprisingly considerate.”

Well, considering the promotion grounds were filled with all kinds of different species, it made sense to have a clear definition of “handshake” to avoid misunderstandings.

This new rule increased the likelihood that ranks 2 through 5 would depend less on combat strength and more on how effectively one could win over the favor of others.

Since everyone would now know that the number of handshakes directly influenced rankings, it wasn’t likely that people would randomly handshake with just anyone.

Those with unapproachable appearances or intimidating auras were at a clear disadvantage.

‘But won’t there be cases where people just buy handshakes with money? They could use IOUs or something.’

Yeongwoo, whose thoughts were steeped in deviousness, was already entertaining unethical schemes.

If he had been aiming for a spot in the top 5, he would undoubtedly have pursued such tactics.

On the other hand...

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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-So, the rankings will really be decided by handshakes now.

-And with the added condition of parting ways without combat… That’s a relief.

-At least some of the planets with significant good karma may succeed in this promotion match.

The other three proponents of good karma seemed relieved, pleased that such a rule had been implemented.

‘These guys are ridiculously optimistic. The universe really is vast if people like them are still alive.’

Yeongwoo shook his head in disbelief, then motioned toward Taru, the last of the good-karma proponents.

“Alright, Taru, it’s your turn.”

According to Yeongwoo’s description, the rule Taru was about to make was essentially a haven for losers.

The rule was to establish a “surrender zone.”

“This is the Midwest right now, so those who intend to fight us would naturally gather here. What’s the opposite direction?”

When Yeongwoo asked this, Taru blinked a few times before answering.

-The east… perhaps?

“Correct. The east is likely the opposite direction. So, let’s tell anyone who wants to surrender to head there.”

At Yeongwoo’s suggestion, Taru scratched his head before stepping up to the game maker.

-Uh… Please designate the far eastern end of the promotion grounds as a place where people can surrender.

The game maker rephrased Taru’s request and presented it as follows:

「The third rule of the promotion match has been newly entered.」

[A designated safe zone has been established in the eastern part of the promotion grounds. Entering this zone means forfeiting the chance to rank and guarantees immunity from attacks by other teams.]

“Hm, that’s reasonable enough.”

Now, the western part of the promotion grounds would become a battlefield for the “real contenders,” while the eastern part would be crowded with those surrendering or seeking handshakes.

For those still vying for a rank, they would have no choice but to pursue the teams heading east to desperately request handshakes.

‘It’s obvious, so obvious.’

Ironically, the peaceful eastern zone could become more chaotic than the war-torn western zone.

‘In any case… whether they beg for handshakes or buy them with money, only planets with that level of determination deserve to advance.’

For Yeongwoo, it was crucial to maintain his position as 1st place, and this arrangement suited him well.

He could protect his top spot while pacifying the good-karma proponents and avoiding excessive bad karma.

“Well then, it’s finally my turn.”

When Yeongwoo stepped forward, the three good-karma proponents instinctively tensed and retreated slightly.

“The fact that so many planetary guardians have survived this promotion match is entirely thanks to the mercy of the universal weapon brand, Dogo.”

As Yeongwoo spoke, the Dogo emblem on his upper right arm lit up brightly.

“From this day forward, those who didn’t know Dogo will come to know its great name, and those who did will give thanks for its miraculous mercy.”

He then placed his hand on the game maker.

Thump!

“When the new rule is declared, every participant must shout ‘Dogo’ at the top of their lungs. For those who lack a voice, mimic the emblem with their bodies.”

Then Yeongwoo added an ominous clause.

“Anyone who fails to chant ‘Dogo’ within 30 seconds of the new rule’s declaration will die immediately.”

[PR/N: Actually insane wtf?? 💀]

-What?

-What did you say?

-Immediate death…?

The three good-karma proponents were visibly horrified.

Of course, it was uncertain whether the game maker would actually implement such a condition.

But since it was a key rule of the game, there had to be an undeniable reason to enforce it.

“Better than turning the promotion grounds into a living hell. Isn’t it easier to shout ‘Dogo’ and survive?”

As Yeongwoo removed his hand from the game maker, the rule generator began spinning rapidly in mid-air.

Whiiiirrr!

Finally, it produced the rule.

「The final rule of the promotion match has been newly entered.」

[Within 30 seconds of the new rule’s announcement, any participant who does not fervently worship ‘Dogo’ will die immediately.]

“Hah, this thing’s even harsher than me.”

Even Yeongwoo, infamous for his ruthlessness, was impressed by the term “fervently worship,” which hadn’t crossed his mind.

“Well, no objections, right? Let’s proceed as is.”

When Yeongwoo tapped the game maker twice to confirm the rule, it shot into the sky, erupting in a massive explosion visible to all in the promotion grounds.

Boom!

As if signifying the collapse of the existing order.

Rumble…!

The ground of the entire promotion grounds quaked, capturing everyone’s attention, while a giant system message appeared in the sky.

「The previous rules have been replaced by new ones set by Team 023, the current overall 1st place.」

Surprisingly, instead of starting from Rule 1, the system began revealing the rules in reverse order, starting with the final Rule 4.

「Regretfully, from this moment onward, anyone who does not fervently worship ‘Dogo’ within 30 seconds will die immediately.」

[TL/N: HAHAHA REGRETFULLY HAAHAHAHA.]

“What? Regretfully? That wasn’t part of my wording.”

As Yeongwoo frowned and muttered, a holographic Dogo emblem accompanied by a countdown appeared in everyone’s field of view.

Flash!

「30」

“…Huh?”

「29」

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

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