Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 388: The Dignity of a Wedding (4)

"Uh… that is…"

Jo Sangik unconsciously hid the pouch he was holding behind his thigh.

However, Yeongwoo didn’t even need to open the pouch to know.

Anyone could tell it was much smaller than the one the Shandong Twin Evils had brought.

"Even the nobles from China brought 30 million."

At Yeongwoo’s somber tone, Jo Sangik looked as if he had committed a grave sin.

"I really… I really didn’t know. I had no idea there was a minimum amount."

"Is the issue here just the minimum amount? The real problem is that your sincerity is less than that of people who came from another country."

"That, that’s…"

"Do you think sincerity is only about intention? Material offerings are sincerity too!"

"……"

Jo Sangik lowered his head.

If material offerings were also sincerity, he really had nothing to say.

"I wasn’t thinking clearly."

“…Sigh."

Just then, an announcement from the congratulatory gift reception was broadcast again.

「Guests who have brought less than 15 million Karma in gifts, please gather at the execution platform.」

An announcement seemingly directed straight at Jo Sangik.

Yeongwoo glanced at his pouch and asked,

"How much do you have?"

"Ten million…"

Ten million Karma.

To be honest, it wasn’t a small amount at all, nor could it be considered an insignificant contribution.

After all, the protection fees Yeongwoo had been collecting from different districts in Seoul were 5 million Karma.

So Jo Sangik had tried his best, bringing twice the usual protection fee as a wedding gift.

‘So, technically speaking… it’s not that he lacked sincerity.’

Besides, the primary revenue of this wedding was from the high rollers’ ranking competition.

Considering the amounts they would contribute, whether it was ten million or fifteen million didn’t really matter.

However—

‘But the minimum wedding gift is set based on what some alien guests brought. And yet, this is still only half of that… That’s just insulting.’

Yeongwoo’s expression twisted mischievously, and Jo Sangik, noticing it, trembled.

"Y-Yeongwoo…"

"Minister."

"…Yes?"

"There’s no other way. You need to sign a loan agreement."

"A loan agreement…?"

"Yes. I learned how to draft one during my travels in space."

Of course, this was still Earth, not an alien planet.

But Yeongwoo was sure the method he had used at the promotion hall would work here too.

After all, Earth had long been "open to the universe."

Yeongwoo had already drafted universal official documents here before.

"I won’t charge too much. Just a 100% daily interest rate."

"…What?"

"You’re short by 5 million, right? I’ll lend you that amount right now. But by tomorrow, you have to return 10 million."

"How is that even…?"

"Or would you rather hang over there? If you die, at least you won’t have to repay the debt."

Whoosh!

Yeongwoo pointed at the execution platform, just as the guillotine blade came crashing down.

Shaaak!

The platform was already going through operational tests to prepare for the guests.

"…Ugh! That’s really a guillotine?!"

"I don’t want to lose you over something like this. You still have a lot of work to do for Seoul, don’t you?"

"But, this is all just…"

"We live in an era of space globalization. And space weddings have always been like this. So next time you attend one, be prepared."

With those words, Yeongwoo grabbed Jo Sangik’s right arm.

Grab!

"Ugh, what are you doing?"

"Drafting the loan agreement."

Yeongwoo placed his finger on Jo Sangik’s palm and drew a line.

Immediately, a contract template appeared above it.

Flash!

「Loan of 5 million Karma, daily interest rate of 100%. Loan execution pending. Approve?」

"Huh?"

Jo Sangik’s eyes widened at the absurd contract.

Since when did this insane swordsman learn to do something like this?

"A-Are you serious?"

"It only looks like loan sharking on the surface. In reality, you’re saving your life with just 5 million Karma. Don’t be fooled by the wording."

"…What?"

Just then, the massive execution blade fell once more.

Shaaak!

"…Ugh."

Being a little short on wedding money leading to immediate decapitation—this was insane.

But Jo Sangik knew better than anyone that Yeongwoo routinely did insane things.

"It would be useful to set an example by executing someone… But I’d rather it not be you, Minister."

With Yeongwoo’s serious tone and expression, Jo Sangik’s common sense finally crumbled.

"A… Alright. I’ll sign it."

In the end, he nodded and accepted Yeongwoo’s terms.

Pop!

Loan approved.

「Loan of 5 million Karma at a daily interest rate of 100% has been executed.」

As this message appeared, a holographic number floated above Jo Sangik’s head.

Ping!

[+5,000,000]

At the same time, the same amount appeared above Yeongwoo’s head with a minus sign.

Yeongwoo’s balance had decreased by 5 million Karma.

[-5,000,000]

In other words, Jo Sangik had just become the first Earthling to be in actual debt to Jeong Yeongwoo.

"What… What have I done…?"

Having taken out a loan just to afford his wedding gift, Jo Sangik looked down at his trembling hands.

Then, an unmistakable sound rang beside him.

Clink!

"Huh?"

It was the sound he had heard on reset day at the exchange center—the sound of cash being prepared.

Then, suddenly—

Clatter!

Countless Karma coins poured into Jo Sangik’s chest.

"Wait, what? It works like this too?"

Yeongwoo looked astonished.

Unlike the promissory notes issued at the promotion center, this direct loan had instantly materialized in hard cash.

"Minister, is that real money?"

Yeongwoo asked as Jo Sangik, still crouching, picked up the coins.

Jo Sangik looked up.

"…Amazingly, it seems so."

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

And that amazement was genuine.

After all, in this reset world, Karma was as valuable as life itself.

It was the currency used to pay survival taxes, obtain necessities, and even enhance combat power.

But for such a valuable currency to be instantly generated and dispensed just from signing a loan contract… That was beyond shocking.

What’s more, the subject of this contract was none other than a fellow human, Jeong Yeongwoo.

"What on earth have you been doing out there to learn something like this?"

As Jo Sangik diligently picked up the coins, he asked, to which Yeongwoo simply shrugged.

"As I said earlier, we are now in the era of space civilization. If you don't know how to do things like this, you'll end up getting pushed around by aliens."

Then, placing a hand on Sangik’s shoulder, Yeongwoo pointed toward the congratulatory donation stand.

"You can now proudly make your contribution."

Jo Sangik, the second congratulatory donor of this wedding, hailing from Gwanak-gu.

As he walked toward the donation stand with a money pouch in hand, Jeonggu, watching from behind, spoke with a worried expression.

"Are we seriously going to keep collecting money like this? Isn't this basically loan sharking instead of greeting guests? I mean, this is no different from being a loan shark…."

"A mountain is made of tiny specks of dust."

“…Huh?"

"If we squeeze 5 million in interest from just ten people, that’s already 50 million. And the best part is, even if we fail the ceremonial breakthrough, we don’t have to return this money."

"R-Really?"

"Of course. The money returned due to a failed ceremonial breakthrough only applies to the 'congratulatory fund,' but the interest I collect isn't considered part of that."

Besides, Yeongwoo didn’t even have the cash to pay the remaining balance for the wedding venue at the moment.

His total assets, including defense funds, amounted to about 1.05 billion Karma.

Meanwhile, the venue’s outstanding balance was 1.22 billion.

"If we fail the ceremonial breakthrough today and have to return all the congratulatory funds, we won’t be able to pay the wedding venue balance."

"Huh? Then what happens?"

"One of two things. Either we get sued by Kwaya’s Hammer and end up in prison, or I take out another loan to somehow cover the cost."

With that, Yeongwoo shifted his gaze toward an alien approaching from the other side, carrying something on their back.

Standing about 2 meters tall, the figure was cloaked in a reddish-brown robe with the hood pulled down deeply, carrying a rather peculiar object.

‘That….’

It was none other than a wreath made entirely of Karma coins.

Remarkably, it even resembled a traditional Earth wreath, complete with a ribbon bearing a congratulatory message.

Through the writing on the ribbon, Yeongwoo was able to identify the visitor.

[Interest rates cheaper than death! Osaek Credit.]

[Congratulations on your wedding!]

‘These guys… They came here to advertise their business.’

To a fellow businessman like Yeongwoo, their intentions were blatantly obvious.

— Ohhh, Jeong Yeongwoo07-nim!

The representative from Osaek Credit placed the wreath on the ground and bowed politely before approaching.

"Ah, you’re from Osaek Credit. I believe we only spoke over the phone once before, and now…"

Notably, Yeongwoo had never actually done business with them.

— Yes, it is an honor to meet you again on such a wonderful day.

Then, the alien took out a small communicator from within their robe and handed it over.

Swoosh.

— I am Daouk, Executive Director from the Sales Division.

"Ah, Executive Director, it's a pleasure."

As soon as Yeongwoo accepted the communicator, an equipment tooltip appeared in his vision.

Pop!

[Osaek Communicator] - Common Tool

【Interest rates cheaper than death! Osaek Credit.】

| Sales Division Executive Director, Daouk.

‘An executive…? They sent a high-ranking officer?’

Yeongwoo tilted his head in curiosity.

Sure, a wedding was a joyful occasion, but for Osaek Credit to send an executive to the wedding of someone they had never even done business with—it was suspicious.

"Well then…"

Still, having an extra guest was always a good thing, so Yeongwoo gestured toward the congratulatory donation stand.

But before he could say anything, Daouk quickly interjected.

— Yeongwoo-nim, if I may…

"Yes?"

— Before I present my contribution, may I ask for a small favor?

"A favor? Go ahead, let’s hear it."

Daouk then extended a vaguely shadow-like arm from within their robe, rubbing both hands together in a crafty manner.

— If you would be so kind as to allow it…

"Yes?"

— I’d like to conduct some loan business at this wedding venue.

"Loan business? Specifically…?"

— I heard a rumor that a congratulatory donation ranking system has been introduced.

"Yes, you heard correctly."

— Then surely there must be significant competition among the top contributors…? And in such cases, some might find themselves short on immediate cash…

"So, what you're saying is that you want to provide loans to the top donors, correct?"

Daouk nodded repeatedly.

— Exactly. But on an exclusive basis. No other lending companies should be allowed to operate here.

In other words, Osaek Credit wanted to be the sole ATM at this wedding.

They intended to lend money to any donor who lacked immediate cash in exchange for interest.

"Aha…"

At last, Yeongwoo understood why Osaek Credit had sent a sales executive.

But he didn’t dislike the idea.

After all, this wedding itself was a massive business operation.

Having a business partner on the side wouldn’t be a bad thing.

However, the important question was—

"Then what about me? If I allow Osaek Credit exclusive loan rights, what do I get out of it?"

Daouk rubbed his hands again and glanced toward the donation stand.

— Naturally, a satisfactory congratulatory donation…

"No."

— …?

"Congratulatory funds have to be returned if we fail the ceremonial breakthrough, don’t they?"

— Then what do you suggest?

"Pay a commission."

— A commission? You mean on the loans we generate here?

"Yes. I want half of the interest you make from these loans. In return, I’ll grant you exclusive rights to operate here."

Then, Yeongwoo pointed to the donation stand.

"And, of course, you can make your donation over there."

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]