Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 389: The Dignity of a Wedding (5)

Half of the interest generated from the loan was to be paid as a fee.

It was an absurd condition, but for Daouk, there was no other choice.

That was because this wedding market was also monopolized by Jeong Yeongwoo.

After all, wasn’t he the host of the wedding and the sole decision-maker?

—F-Fine. But it must be an exclusive business deal.

"Of course. No other loan companies will be allowed."

As Yeongwoo nodded and spoke, Daouk, who had keenly picked up on something, asked again.

—Then… are you saying that someone other than a loan company could come in to do business?

‘Oh. He’s quick.’

Indeed, executives operated on a different level.

Yeongwoo admired this internally before answering honestly.

"I will personally handle the congratulatory gift loans for Earthlings."

—...What?

"I only have about 1 billion in cash anyway. And since the minimum congratulatory gift amount is 15 million Karma, the amount Earthlings would need to borrow would all be small-scale."

So Yeongwoo's proposal was that he would handle loans for Earthlings, while Osaek Credit would take care of loans for extraterrestrials.

After all, he didn’t have the capital to fund the congratulatory gift competition of the big spenders.

—Hmm...

Daouk, the director of Osaek Credit’s sales division, pondered for a moment.

It didn’t take long before he accepted Yeongwoo’s proposal.

—Alright. It seems we have no other option.

"A wise choice. You won’t regret it."

With this, Yeongwoo ensured a significant profit as long as the wedding proceeded without any issues.

Even in the worst-case scenario, where all the congratulatory gifts had to be refunded, he could still cover the remaining wedding expenses with the interest collected from Earthlings' loans and the business commission from Osaek Credit.

Ping!

<Strongest Sword of Gwanak, Jo Sangik>

「Congratulatory gift payment complete!」

Soon, a notification popped up, confirming that Jo Sangik had paid his gift.

「Celebrating the wedding of Jeong Yeongwoo’s parents, Kim Jeonggu and Song Jiseon: 15 million Karma received.」

And, as expected, the amount was publicly displayed.

Daouk looked at the projected congratulatory gift records on the main building with a somewhat bitter expression.

—The congratulatory gifts... are completely public?

"Oh, that wasn’t my decision. The construction company is a bit eccentric."

As Yeongwoo said this, something suddenly occurred to him, and he called out urgently.

"Kobu! Mr. Kobu!"

From across the venue, Kobu, who had been managing the congratulatory gift system, approached.

—Yes, boss? What is it?

"The visibility of the congratulatory gift amounts—can it be conditionally restricted?"

Kobu tilted his head.

—Conditionally…?

"If an additional fee is paid, can the gift amount be made private?"

In other words, Yeongwoo was considering charging a fee for confidentiality.

—The venue isn’t fully completed yet, and from a system standpoint, it’s possible.

As Kobu confirmed that the feature could be added, Yeongwoo’s face lit up with excitement.

This was because he knew that the big shots engaging in the high-stakes congratulatory gift competition would not want their amounts to be publicly displayed.

—Shall I add the private conversion function now?

Kobu asked.

Yeongwoo gestured for him to wait.

"Give me a moment to think."

A privacy option—it was clearly a necessary feature.

The only question was, how much should they charge for it?

The chairmen attending were already prepared to spend a fortune here, but if it looked like they were being blatantly squeezed for money, it could backfire.

‘Honestly, charging 5% of the congratulatory gift for privacy would be extremely profitable.’

But from the perspective of those paying, it would feel like an unfair money grab.

They were already giving a substantial amount, and demanding an extra 5% just for privacy would seem excessive.

‘People need to feel good about spending money. If we irritate the chairmen too much, they might close their wallets.’

In truth, just having a ranking system for the gifts was already somewhat offensive to them.

So Yeongwoo came to a decision.

"The privacy fee will be 10 million Karma. However, for gifts of 200 million or more, privacy will be free."

Jiseon, standing behind him, widened her eyes in shock.

—You sneaky bastard, you’re a real businessman.

She was astonished by Yeongwoo’s cunning business tactics.

Not only did he avoid losing big clients with exorbitant fees, but he also managed to incorporate an element of VIP service.

Charging 10 million Karma for privacy meant that this system was never intended for small-time contributors.

Someone who only gave the minimum 15 million wouldn’t likely pay an extra 10 million for privacy.

In other words, this privacy option was only viable for those giving at least 100 million.

Even for those giving 100 million, paying an extra 10 million meant an additional 10% fee, so the real target was those contributing 200 million or more.

And by waiving the privacy fee at exactly 200 million, Yeongwoo subtly created an exclusive privilege for high-tier guests.

"This way, the chairmen who donate over 200 million can enjoy privacy at no extra cost, while those below that threshold will have to pay around 5% of their gift to keep it confidential."

"...So those below 200 million will be competing for third place?"

"Yes. And even if they don’t aim for the top three, some executives might still prefer to keep their amount private."

Meanwhile, small-time contributors, upon seeing the already-public amounts, would hesitate to be too stingy.

In other words, even those who initially planned to give only the minimum 15 million would feel pressured to contribute more.

"Every little bit adds up. We need to squeeze out as much as we can from all donors."

As Yeongwoo nodded at Kobu, the gift registry lit up.

Flash!

The privacy conversion feature was now implemented.

"Alright, Mr. Director, you heard that? You can now make your gift private if you wish."

Yeongwoo grinned at Daouk, who, beneath his tightly pulled hood, had an expression of horror.

At this point, Yeongwoo seemed more like a loan shark than a wedding host.

—You have excellent business acumen.

Daouk lowered his head toward the Earthling, who might one day become a formidable competitor.

Then, he walked toward the congratulatory gift table to offer his contribution.

Meanwhile…

"Huh?!"

"Huh? The Deputy Minister is already here?"

"What the…? What's that over there…?"

One by one, the Strongest Swords of the Seoul Alliance emerged from the Earthlings’ passageway.

Since they were from the same country, they had arrived early at the wedding venue.

"Ah, welcome!"

Behind Yeongwoo, who was warmly greeting Seoul's Strongest Swords, stood a towering execution platform.

"...Yeongwoo, what is that?"

Oh Yeonhee, the Songpa Strongest Sword, who was at the front of the guests, pointed at the execution platform and asked.

Yeongwoo glanced at the pouches in the hands of the Strongest Swords and casually replied.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

"Well, we had no choice but to entrust the construction of the wedding venue to a cosmic prison company… and that thing showed up."

"A… cosmic what?"

"The minimum congratulatory gift for this wedding is 15 million Karma. Unfortunately, any guest whose gift falls short… will have their head chopped off."

Swish, swish.

Yeongwoo pointed alternately between the congratulatory gift table and the execution platform.

The Strongest Swords all dropped their jaws in shock.

"H-How much?!"

"You mean… beheading?!"

They had come expecting to hear a bizarre wedding speech at worst.

The idea that they might lose their heads over an insufficient gift had never crossed their minds.

Swoooosh!

Right on cue, the execution platform demonstrated its deadly function once more.

At that very moment, a payment notification rang out.

<Osaek Credit, Daouk Corporation>

「Congratulatory gift successfully paid!」

"Huh?"

"Osaek Credit?"

The Strongest Swords checked the name of the payer with puzzled expressions.

Then, upon reading the details, their mouths fell open again.

「From Osaek Credit, Daouk Corporation: Congratulations on the wedding of Jeong Yeongwoo’s parents, Kim Jeonggu and Song Jiseon. Amount received: 50 million Karma.」

Daouk, the executive of Osaek Credit, had proudly made his contribution in public.

"Fifty million… A bit disappointing, but I suppose it's enough to carry some weight. It's the highest amount so far, after all."

While Yeongwoo considered it merely "a bit disappointing," for the newly arrived Strongest Swords from Seoul—cosmic country bumpkins, so to speak—50 million Karma was an astronomical sum.

"Who… Who in the world would give 50 million as a wedding gift?!"

"And what even is Osaek Credit…?"

Realizing that they would soon have to stand before the congratulatory gift table themselves, the Strongest Swords began to panic.

Yeongwoo reassured them,

"He's in the space loan business. You don't need to concern yourselves with him."

Then, he pointed back at the execution platform.

"But if your gifts don't meet the 15 million minimum, things will get… difficult."

And by "difficult," everyone present understood it meant execution.

Swoooosh!

The guillotine, still without its first victim, continued slicing through empty air in vain.

"Material wealth is a reflection of one's heart, isn't it? So please, offer what your heart desires."

Clap!

Yeongwoo gestured toward the gift table, prompting Seocho Strongest Sword, Choi Namhee, to hesitantly speak up for the first time.

"Uh… Yeongwoo?"

"Yes? What is it?"

"Would it… be possible for me to return to my office for a moment? I promise to be back before the ceremony starts."

Choi Namhee discreetly clutched the pouch hidden behind her thigh.

Yeongwoo got straight to the point.

"How much?"

"...Pardon?"

"How much did you bring?"

Choi Namhee, looking utterly distressed, reluctantly handed over her pouch.

Clink.

It was light.

Even lighter than the one brought by Gwanak Strongest Sword, Jo Sangik.

Inside was only 5 million Karma.

"Ah."

Yeongwoo let out a vague sound, and Choi Namhee, realizing the predicament, anxiously glanced back and forth between Yeongwoo and the execution platform.

"I-I'll be right back! I'll return quickly!"

"How much?"

"...Huh?"

"If I let you go safely, how much will you bring back?"

A cold sweat formed on Choi Namhee’s forehead as she furrowed her brows in deep thought.

The minimum gift requirement was 15 million.

But just now, someone had given 50 million.

What was the safest amount to offer in order to escape from this madman's grasp?

Swoooosh!

Again, the ominous sound of the guillotine echoed in the air.

Clenching her eyes shut, Choi Namhee blurted out a number.

"Thirty million!"

"Oh?"

"I-I'll bring 30 million Karma!"

Yeongwoo’s expression suddenly softened into a warm and friendly smile.

Plop!

"No need to trouble yourself with the trip."

"Huh?"

"I've already prepared a way for you to make up for your insufficient… heart."

"W-What do you mean…?"

Sensing imminent doom, Choi Namhee’s pupils widened in terror.

Then, right in her palm, Yeongwoo drew a straight line and issued a loan agreement.

Flash!

「Principal: 25 million Karma. Interest rate: 100%, calculated daily. Loan is pending execution. Do you accept?」

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]