Chapter 538

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Chapter 538: Black Customers (1)

Earthship.

It was the planetary ship launched by Jeong Yeongwoo, once a resident of a planet, after persuading the celestial bodies of the Solar System.

Since it was essentially a planet, its mass, volume, and durability were enormous.

Unlike ordinary planets, however, it did not follow a natural orbit, making it difficult to track.

According to the planetary ship achievement “Moving Celestial Body,” roughly ten planetary ships are estimated to have existed in the history of the universe, nine of which bear at least two star-impact scars.

This was proof that planetary ships and their owners tended to be extreme in nature.

And among those nine planetary ships—

-Wh-what… Is that the Earthship?

Mantero’s shocked voice came through the escape pod’s speaker, and Yeongwoo slowly opened his eyes.

On the steel panel before him floated a holographic radar.

It displayed four escape pods as tiny dots—and the Earthship, which filled the surrounding space.

Everyone had assumed they were heading toward a normal ship, but now they realized otherwise.

“Yes. That’s the Earthship. A planet that moves freely.”

As Yeongwoo answered indifferently while looking at the radar, the arms dealer Koatu spoke in a reluctant tone.

-Then that means… it’s a planetary ship?

“Yes. You’re already looking at it, aren’t you?”

Indeed.

The very size of the Earthship on the radar was proof it was a planetary ship.

No ordinary vessel, regardless of propulsion, could control a planetary-level mass.

-We’re really heading toward a planetary ship right now…?

Even master thief Kejen muttered in disbelief, as if he had heard of planetary ships before.

-But planetary ships are practically a legend. And yet one’s right before my eyes?

It made sense—there were not just few in the present universe, but only ten in all of history.

Most beings could wander the stars for a lifetime and never see one.

If only ten had ever launched, how many still remained to this day?

“A legend? Maybe so. But from now on, at least in your lives, it’s real.”

By the time Yeongwoo said this, the escape pods carrying him and the three prisoners entered Earth’s atmosphere.

KWA-AAAAAANG!

-W-what… have we arrived?

The pods shook violently, and Kejen let out a frightened voice.

For a man who had stolen a royal seal, he was surprisingly timid.

In contrast, Koatu calmly analyzed the situation.

-It really is a “planet.” This is atmospheric response.

As the Earthship’s master, Yeongwoo added.

“We may be a planetary ship, but we’re still small-scale. So, no graceful landings. Hold on tight.”

Mantero, voice filled with worry, asked seriously.

-…How tightly should we hold on?

“As hard as you can.”

That was the last of their conversation.

Because the pods had just slammed into the ground over Metal Seoul’s Gwangjin District.

KWA-KWA-KWANG!

The outer shells crumpled, flinging the passengers into the air.

PUHH-ONG!

-What the—?

-Ugh!

Thrown out, the three prisoners each tried to regain balance in their own way.

-What kind of way is this to treat guests?!

Kejen twisted his body with his tail and landed nimbly.

Thud!

On both feet, no less.

Mantero, however—

-Whoa!

Not as agile, he more or less fell flat on the ground, then scrambled upright.

And finally, the arms dealer Koatu…

-This is bad.

He muttered in distress as he was flung—then crashed straight into the ground.

Thud!

For a one-legged man, landing in that split second was impossible.

“Whoa, are you alright?”

Having already used disposable pods twice, Yeongwoo had landed smoothly and now stood beside Koatu.

-Yes, I’m fine. But I can tell for sure now—this planetary ship really is small-scale.

As Koatu tried to push himself up with his arms and prosthetic leg, Yeongwoo offered a hand.

“Why else would I go as far as prison just to make money? There’s a reason for everything.”

Clack.

Once on his feet, Koatu looked around Gwangjin District in wonder.

-This place is…

“This is Gwangjin District, one of the Earthship’s main administrative areas.”

Main administrative area.

It was here they usually dragged guests for beatings, and where both the bridge and council hall were located.

“That’s the council hall we use to receive visitors, and over there is the bridge.”

Yeongwoo enthusiastically explained the neighborhood to his 15-billion-class VIP.

-Then what’s that?

Koatu pointed at a massive steel structure in the distance.

Yeongwoo rubbed his nose and answered.

“A wedding hall.”

-…A wedding hall that big?

“We built it on a cosmic scale. Someday, I’m even thinking of running a wedding business.”

In other words, he’d do anything that made money.

Hadn’t he already broken prisoners out for cash?

-Then what else does this planetary ship do?

Now genuinely interested, Koatu asked more.

He wanted to know how such a massive vessel was run.

Yeongwoo then mentioned what was likely Earthship’s biggest business—leasing.

“We rent it out.”

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-Rent…?

“Yes. We collect rent and allow immigration. Whether they’re refugees or people looking for a place to hide.”

At this, Kejen perked up.

-What? You provide refuge?

“We’re a moving planet. Whether an individual or an entire clan, there’s enough land to live out a lifetime. Plus, we have navigation and combat capabilities as a ship.”

It was the ultimate safe haven.

Especially attractive for those who had made too many enemies.

-That’s certainly marketable.

Even Koatu, a lifelong arms dealer, nodded.

He could tell planetary-ship leasing was high-value business.

-Then… how much is the rent?

Even Mantero, now a fugitive, asked with interest.

Yeongwoo stroked his chin.

“It’s not official yet… but for a clan, I’m thinking of starting at fifty million per day.”

-Fifty million… per day?

Mantero’s jaw dropped.

Even as a royal vassal, that was a fortune.

But of course, the fee was meant for an entire clan, not just one person.

If a clan of 100,000 settled, that meant just 500 karma per person.

‘Right. Calculated by clan, the fee looks huge for an individual.’

And an individual would occupy far less land.

‘Should I set aside areas for individuals?’

As he pondered, Earth’s voice spoke in his mind.

○ That’s an important concern, but there’s something more urgent.

‘What?’

○ You idiot, if you just broke prisoners out, shouldn’t you be getting out of here?

‘Ah.’

○ Get back to the bridge now. Lesham’s movement looks suspicious.

At this, Yeongwoo hurriedly dragged Koatu toward the bridge.

“Now, I’ll show you Earthship taking off. This way.”

* * *

Following him into the bridge, the three prisoners were struck dumb once again.

『What is this…?』

For the first to greet them was none other than Moro, the Sun.

Seated on a throne woven from her own hair, she radiated an aura so overwhelming that even those unfamiliar with celestial beings could feel it.

For the Sun was one of the most majestic among stars.

Her innate dignity and pressure were immense.

-…Celestial bodies reside in the bridge? Is that normal for planetary ships?

Koatu, well-informed, recognized Moro and the other celestials at a glance.

Yeongwoo shrugged and dropped into the captain’s chair.

“Who knows? I’ve never met another planetary ship.”

Then he asked Earth, standing by the navigation console.

“So, what about Lesham?”

『Fighters are gathering at Lesham’s perimeter. They’re after the escapees.』

“Good. Time to show off Earthship’s evasion capabilities.”

But Earth grimaced.

『Don’t be stupid. We don’t have proper secondary guns, so we can’t fight fighters head-on.』

It was like an eagle being pecked at by crows.

But if the eagle soared high enough, the crows would fall away on their own.

“That’s why I said evasion. Just keep warping until we’re out of reach.”

Then Yeongwoo turned toward the three escapees by the door.

Where should he start?

Koatu’s secret vault.

Kejen’s hidden royal seal.

And…

‘As for Mantero, loyalty is all he’s got, so nothing to gain there.’

Sighing, he decided to start with Koatu, who could pay up immediately.

“Mr. Koatu, it’s time. Where do you keep all that money?”

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Koatu’s mechanical eye glowed red, and he projected a space map into the air.

Fwaaash!

“And that is…?”

-The dead star Gadoa.

“Gadoa…?”

-It drifts at the galactic boundary. My vault is hidden in one of its fragments. But…

“What now?”

-With a ship this large, you can’t get close. The fragments spin at incredible speed.

“Ah… Couldn’t we at least use them to get impact scars?”

Even here, Yeongwoo thought of modding the Earthship.

But Moro, the star, shook her head.

『Nice idea, but a dead star won’t leave impact scars. Fragmentation means it’s already lost its power.』

“Ah… shame. Still, if Earthship can’t get close, then what? We don’t have any usable ships.”

Then Mantero quietly raised his hand.

-…Excuse me.

“What is it, Mr. Mantero?”

-The star fragments—aren’t they still larger than asteroids?

Koatu nodded.

-Mostly, yes.

-Then… maybe I can do it.

Yeongwoo tilted his head.

“Do what exactly?”

-…Approach. What you want is to take this planetary ship right into the fragments, right?

“That’s right. But Koatu says it’s impossible…”

Mantero suddenly squared his shoulders.

-That’s… only in general cases.

“You’re saying you’re not a general case?”

-I am the Delcen Royal Family’s chief navigator. Of course… also a criminal for smuggling a prince.

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