Chapter 456

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Chapter 456: Lord Jeong Yeongwoo07 (9)

—Wh-What… That bastard…!

Kwavek turned around in shock upon seeing Yeongwoo standing atop the palanquin of a head of a house.

Although the way had been opened at the order of the house leader, this was still a blatant failure in security.

And even the house lord of Satral, Bioto, was dumbfounded.

—You… Who the hell are you…?

This line held two questions.

First, who exactly was this man, whose identity had yet to be properly revealed?

And second, how could he possibly be so lacking in manners?

Among the families of the universe, there were ceremonial customs that matched each planet’s culture.

Some houses expressed gratitude to guests by offering large amounts of karma.

Others displayed their treasured weapons, allowing the guest to choose one as a return gift.

Of course, there were even eccentric houses that challenged guests to duels as a form of hospitality.

However, even such unusual customs were ultimately just excuses to show respect to guests.

Even families that used duels as custom often made it a rule to intentionally lose the fight.

But this bastard, no matter how you looked at it…

—There are five noble houses gathered here. What the hell do you think you’re doing?

Bioto glared at the rookie house head who had climbed onto his palanquin.

At that moment, he pointed toward the sky.

KWAARRRR…!

Because four massive ships were now appearing one after another in the skies over Gwangjin-gu.

The houses of the universe maintained mutual respect, but also a fierce sense of rivalry.

That so-called “respect” ultimately stemmed from power.

Thus, every house strove to appear powerful.

That’s also why House Satral had taken the liberty of launching an aggressive, public protest against Earth.

They intended to show that a fledgling house could be scolded and pushed around.

But upon actually meeting the new Renaissance House… Something felt off.

“What am I doing? You fucking moron, on Earth, it's polite to be quiet when someone's sleeping. You dare blast a loudspeaker while I’m asleep?”

Yeongwoo bared his teeth in anger.

The problem was that the message had been broadcast across the entire planet.

This made it necessary for Yeongwoo to recover the honor he lost in his sleep.

“I won’t kill you. Just one punch.”

FWAP!

Yeongwoo raised his right fist with a crude gesture.

Bioto, still seated calmly on his chair, replied leisurely.

—Lowly actions from a lowly creature.

If the opponent was too ignorant to know proper etiquette, then it had to be taught physically.

Fortunately, this universe placed great importance on order and had a system to handle such situations.

It was called Honorary Deference.

If there was a sufficient difference in prestige, the weaker party wouldn’t be able to exert their full power.

It was a universal law that the weak must bow before the strong.

—I’ll hear your introduction from beneath my feet! Kneel!

Finally deciding to act, Bioto’s helmet emitted a blazing blue glow as he released his concealed, immense aura into the venue.

KWAHHHH!

Startled by the universe’s force now surrounding him, Yeongwoo muttered:

“…Ugh!”

Letting out a brief groan, he immediately swung his fist.

SWOOSH!

Aimed straight at Bioto’s face.

“The hell are you babbling about, asshole.”

Even with Bioto unleashing his aura, Yeongwoo’s punch landed cleanly on Bioto’s helmet without losing any of its power.

BAMMMM!

—Keurgh!

Bioto’s trusted "Honorary Deference" had failed to activate.

Expecting the enemy’s punch to slow down, Bioto had extended his hand—but too late.

It only swept through empty air.

And the most shocked of all was Kwavek, the captain of Satral’s knights.

—Huh…?

The fact that House Lord Bioto couldn’t block the punch meant that their levels of prestige were nearly equal.

—Captain!

But soon, a call for reinforcement echoed through the air.

It came from none other than Bioto himself, who was now lying collapsed atop his palanquin after taking the punch.

—Kill that bastard! Nowwww!

His helmet split in front, revealing his bruised face as he screamed furiously.

At his cry, dozens of Blue Knights surrounding the palanquin drew their swords, and even Kwavek raised his massive greatsword—an act of sacrilege, given that he was swinging a weapon atop his lord’s palanquin.

—Haaaaah!

The 6-meter-tall Kwavek raised his sword, as big as himself.

Yeongwoo, standing proudly atop the palanquin, turned to him with glowing golden eyes.

“Your lord is still beneath my fist.”

—…!

Hearing that, Kwavek froze, sword still raised threateningly.

Not only was it true that his lord was under the madman’s fist, but he physically couldn’t move his body properly.

—Wh-What is this?

Kwavek’s voice trembled in confusion.

Though House Satral hadn’t been in a full war for thousands of years, they’d still faced physical conflicts during cosmic operations.

And each time, it was Kwavek who stepped up to act on behalf of the house.

So he understood all too well—his frozen body was the result of the overwhelming gap in aura.

The law of Honorary Deference was in effect.

“This universe really is a nice place to live—if you’re strong.”

Satisfied to see Kwavek completely immobilized, Yeongwoo looked down at Bioto again.

“Let me properly introduce myself. I am the mayor of Metal Seoul, Special City of Dogo. Master of the Twenty Sword Mountains. And shipmaster of the Earth Fleet, Jeong Yeongwoo07.”

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—W-What?

Hearing Yeongwoo’s official introduction, Bioto looked blankly out from his cracked helmet.

The only part he could comprehend was “shipmaster of the Earth Fleet.”

So he had to clarify the crucial part again.

—So, wait, what exactly is your relationship with Chairman Dogo? Did you say this was Dogo Special City…?

“I’m the mayor of the city Chairman-nim holds in special regard, you dumbass!”

And around that time, massive ships began landing one after another in the clearing over there.

Thud—!

The other four noble houses that had accompanied House Satral on their visit to Earth had finally arrived in Gwangjin-gu.

—No way…!

At this, Bioto looked extremely troubled as he glanced between Jeong Yeongwoo and the four newly arrived ships.

If this visit were to end in such a disgrace, House Satral’s standing would undoubtedly suffer.

But going all-in and risking a fight to the death wasn’t exactly appealing either—the opponent didn’t look like someone to take lightly.

Hadn’t he just destroyed his protective armor with a single punch?

If that guy fought seriously...

—……

Bioto’s eyes scanned his opponent up and down.

And in that fleeting moment, he reflected on the millennia of peace that House Satral had enjoyed.

The decision he made here today could very well bring an end to that peace.

And so, as head of the house, he made his final choice.

—O-one hit.

In a very small voice, he made an offer to the so-called “Special Mayor of Dogo.”

“…What? What did you say?”

As Yeongwoo furrowed his brow and leaned in, Bioto propped up his battered body and spoke again, barely parting his lips.

—Just take one hit. I’m in trouble like this.

There was a lot left unsaid in that line, but Yeongwoo could read plenty from the look in the other’s eyes.

“……”

Though he was a newly appointed head himself, Yeongwoo too was a representative bearing considerable weight.

Sure, he knew nothing about the structure of the universe or inter-house politics.

But he did know this: when a representative of a group is humiliated in public, it’s not just about losing face—it’s about losing much more.

So he had to ask:

“How much?”

—What…?

“Your pride’s worth. And my pain’s worth. Two price tags, so think carefully.”

—You crazy bastard.

“What, you think you’re the only house head? I’m standing here in front of an entire planetary population.”

And strictly speaking, Bioto had already lost far more in the public eye.

Yeongwoo was nothing more than the representative of a newborn house just now stepping into the ring.

“Honestly, I’ve got nothing to lose even if we take this to the end. Actually, no—if I win…”

Just as he was about to say “I’ll only gain from this,” Bioto grabbed him by the collar.

Grab!

Then, with a face full of fury but a voice oddly careful, he asked:

—…How much? Your pain’s worth.

Yeongwoo grabbed Bioto’s wrist roughly.

Smack!

“Three bills.”

As if it were a line he’d had prepared all along.

Even his hand gripping Bioto’s arm had only three fingers extended.

—Three bills…? What’s that?

But unfamiliar with Earth’s expressions, Bioto looked confused, and Yeongwoo closed his eyes briefly before clarifying.

“Three billion. Pay up.”

—What?

As Bioto flinched at the enormous figure, the ships in the distance began opening their external walls.

At last, the heads and delegates of the other noble houses were beginning to disembark.

“We’re out of time. Decide quickly.”

As Yeongwoo, still held by the collar, pressured him, Bioto began sweating and replied:

—I’ll… I’ll hit your face just like this. Then…

“Nope. That only happens if our deal goes through.”

—Huh?

“I’m asking you: what’s your pride worth?”

Yeongwoo calmly demanded an extra fee, and Bioto’s mouth hung open.

—You want more than three billion? You little… That’s robbery…

Bioto trailed off mid-rant, as if something had just dawned on him.

He’d finally remembered.

What the sole house on this planet had designated as its main trade.

—……

Then, without a word, Bioto slowly unfolded two of the fingers gripping Yeongwoo’s collar.

Yeongwoo smiled faintly.

“Welcome to Earth, House Head.”

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