Chapter 557

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Chapter 557: The Aesthetics of the Circle (8)

—A… Planetary Ship…?

Seeing the unfamiliar phrase, Alden Miras instinctively stumbled backward and fell hard onto the ground.

Thud!

「Duel with Planetary-Ship Owner: +4.2 Prestige Level Gain」

He was stunned by the unbelievable message, but the real cause of his collapse was the backlash from his sudden rise in prestige level.

—Wh… What is this…?

His prestige level had increased by four whole tiers.

In other words, the system was identifying this nameless opponent before him as a being of immense cosmic importance, a high-value existence on a universal scale.

Normally, one’s “prestige level” could only rise by directly witnessing extraordinary celestial events or phenomena.

Yet here, Alden’s prestige had surged simply from crossing swords with this man.

—…!

Then Alden’s eyes widened as he stared up at Yeongwoo.

—You… what are you? Are you really the owner of a Planetary Ship?

Yeongwoo rubbed his chin, scrutinizing Alden from head to toe.

“Huh. Don’t tell me your prestige level just went up?”

He had indeed sensed a shift in the man’s aura moments ago.

“You said I’m the Planetary Ship’s owner? What exactly did it say?”

Alden hesitated, confused.

The man before him was undeniably powerful, but didn’t look anything like the refined, awe-inspiring figures he’d read about in his galactic studies.

—A-are you truly the owner of a Planetary Ship? Someone who commands a star-sized warship?

Even with the system’s declaration, it was hard to believe.

Yeongwoo’s answer was to raise his fist threateningly.

“Answer the question, brat. What exactly did it say?”

—It… it said… ‘Combat with the Planetary Ship’s Owner: prestige +4.2.’

“What? +4.2?”

Now Yeongwoo’s eyes widened.

“What was your prestige level before?”

Alden’s lips sealed tight, revealing one’s prestige in this universe was dangerous.

But keeping silent before Yeongwoo was not a wise choice either.

“Why so quiet? Want me to carve the symbol on your forehead?”

Whssht!

The mythical sword flashed in his hand, and Alden quickly broke.

—Th… Thirty-four. It was thirty-four.

So after fighting Yeongwoo, his prestige had risen from 34 to 38.

“So just by trading blows with me, you jumped four levels?”

—Y-yes.

“Crazy. I could make a fortune off this.”

Rather than pride, Yeongwoo’s first reaction was entrepreneurial.

A duel that guaranteed a massive prestige boost, the business potential was staggering.

If he advertised “Fight the Planetary Ship Owner and gain prestige!”, nobles and elites from across the stars would line up to pay.

Of course, there’d be risk, facing a being like that could easily mean death —

but even if 1% of the galaxy’s wealthy took the offer, the profits would be astronomical.

He chuckled to himself, eyes gleaming with greed.

—So you really own a Planetary Ship?

Asked Lady Kanaph, poking his neck.

“You know what that is, ma’am?”

—Of course. Planetary Ships are one of the universe’s Great Wonders. Every cultured person learns about them before even studying the noble houses.

“A ‘Wonder,’ huh.”

Indeed, only ten Planetary Ships had ever existed, and no one even knew how many remained.

—So… they truly exist? And one belongs to you?

Yeongwoo just shrugged.

“Told you, didn’t I?”

—Then… could I see it someday?

“Once we’re out of this dungeon, sure.”

Alden chimed in timidly.

—Then can I see it too…?

“You? Go home to your family. But if you bring the payment and that sword, maybe I’ll let you take a peek.”

The mention of their earlier deal made Alden grimace.

—Right… that transaction.

“A +4.2 prestige gain? Honestly, 10 billion karma is a bargain. I won’t raise the price, though. Instead—”

—Instead…?

“Donate that money to the Doatel Galactic Relief Center. Under my name.”

—What?

“Think of it as offering tribute to a universal Wonder. Consider it the price of your newfound prestige, and charity.”

For the first time, Alden looked at Yeongwoo not with fear, but faint admiration.

—How much… should I donate?

“Depends how much virtue you want to build up.”

Just then, a piercing alarm rang out from above.

BEEP—!

Everyone looked up at the timer.

[04:29:58]

“Thirty minutes until the next escape point appears.”

Yeongwoo sheathed his sword and yanked Alden to his feet.

“Get up, unbalanced brat. We’ve got others to find before they kill each other.”

* * *

They roamed across the open plains, Yeongwoo, Kanaph, and Alden Miras, searching for other dungeon participants.

“By now, the rest are probably circling the outskirts. Keep your eyes sharp.”

—And… you’ll take their limbs too?

Alden held the severed arm Yeongwoo had once taken from him.

Yeongwoo glanced at his remaining three arms.

“Got enough arms already. Maybe I’ll start taking legs this time.”

—I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.

“I don’t joke in dungeons.”

Alden froze.

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—Then… you’ll cut off my other arms too?

“If I have to. Your family can afford fancy prosthetics, right?”

That was easy for Yeongwoo to say, he treated his own body parts like spare tools.

But for Alden, whose race’s four arms were a mark of heritage, the idea was horrifying.

—A Miras must have four arms.

“You already had one prosthetic anyway.”

—That was from an accident when I was a child.

“An accident, huh?”

Alden didn’t elaborate. Yeongwoo snorted.

“Didn’t think you nobles even had childhoods.”

He sized him up again.

“Well, think of it as another accident then. Just one that adds another prosthetic.”

—Your humor is cruel.

“Not a joke.”

At that moment, Yeongwoo flexed his regenerating left arm, it twitched, then clenched.

The limb was finally functional.

“Oh. Guess it’s done growing.”

Still grotesque in appearance, but usable.

“Time to chop it off again, huh?”

—What?

“Cut it off so a new one grows.”

Lady Kanaph explained to the baffled Alden:

—He keeps cutting off his arms to regrow them, he’s using them to get everyone out of the dungeon.

—Get everyone out…? What do you mean?

Yeongwoo pointed upward.

“Exactly that. I’m going to save everyone.”

—You? Why?

“Let’s just say… I’ve got my own journey.”

Then he casually sliced off his arm again.

Skkk!

Alden stared in shock.

—Truly a dreadful species… Which planet birthed you?

“Planet? I’m from Earth. A native human.”

—Earth’s… human.

He mulled it over, then asked curiously,

—Are all Planetary Ship owners like you?

“No clue. Never met the others. You called them Wonders, right?”

—But you’re one of them.

“What, you think we’ve got a club or something? If any others are still alive, they’re probably all insane.”

And he was probably right.

After all, the “Rebel” achievement described it clearly:

[Achievement Unlocked: Rebel]

Grade: Cosmic

Rank: #9

「Own a Planetary Ship bearing two or more impact scars from colliding with stars.」

Clearly, anyone capable of such feats was not normal.

“Anyway, you just worry about finishing your heir’s journey. How much longer do you have?”

—After this dungeon, just one task remains.

“Which is?”

—Capture a wanted criminal.

“…What?”

—Any bounty target will do. Once I capture one, my journey ends.

Yeongwoo’s mind immediately went to Kejen, the thief lounging in his ship’s cockpit, the same man who’d stolen the Kardal royal seal and escaped prison.

“A wanted man, huh… That might take a while. The universe is big.”

—The universe is vast, but so is my patience.

“You idiot, you’re on a time limit! Didn’t you say your journey ends in four years?”

Yeongwoo couldn’t help but laugh at Alden’s stubborn sense of duty.

“Well, good luck. The galaxy’s full of criminals, shouldn’t take long. The sooner you finish, the sooner I get paid.”

Just then, a massive crash echoed ahead.

A figure sprinted desperately through the dust.

“Fresh legs,”

Yeongwoo grinned, drawing his blade.

—What should I do?

“If you recognize any of them, noble or highborn, tell me.”

—Why?

“Because I need to balance the scales.”

—Not all nobles have four arms.

“But all of them have more money than me. That’s unbalanced enough.”

With that, Yeongwoo charged ahead, and the dungeon ceiling split open.

CRASH!

Blades rained from above like a storm, filling Alden’s vision with steel and chaos.

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