Chapter 596

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 596: The Great Exploration (4)

“Maybe so. It’s true my head is full of malicious thoughts—but the reason I’m pessimistic about the future is because the universe itself is built that way.”

However, since the owner of the listing wanted a reverse deal, there was no other option.

“You want to be tested again… regrettable, but it can’t be helped.”

As Yeongwoo moved his hand to enter the buyer’s proposal text, everyone present watched with tense expressions.

Regardless of whether the deal succeeded or failed, stepping into the trading hall again was practically the same as offering up one’s life.

– Buying Selulite, huh… Whether they’re a genuine buyer or a gang of robbers, they won’t be ordinary.

As Kejen finished his worried remark, Yeongwoo accepted the other party’s proposal.

Phaaash!

All the holographic text floating in the air vanished, and soon a new message appeared.

「You have accepted the buyer’s proposal. An entrance connecting to the buyer’s trading space will be generated.」

A gray portal opened its maw in midair.

“This is the last deal.”

Yeongwoo muttered as he peered into the portal.

Once this transaction was completed safely, they would finally be able to return to Earth.

Swish.

Just as Yeongwoo was about to step into the portal, Jeonggu hurriedly spoke up.

“Hey, wait! Aren’t we going to make some kind of plan?”

“A plan?”

“Yeah. This time we’re following their rules. We don’t know what might happen inside.”

Indeed, weren’t there four different transaction methods in the Black Zone?

[Fair Trade]

| Trade: Meet at the center of the trading hall and directly exchange goods and payment.

[Stone Throw]

| Trade: Each trader stands at opposite ends of the hall and throws their trade items at the system’s signal.

[Crossroads]

| Trade: Each trader is assigned a spot at opposite ends of the hall. After placing their item down, they move to the opponent’s spot to collect the payment.

[Tag]

| Trade: The moment the opponent enters, their payment or goods are instantly transferred to you.

On top of that, the exit point differed depending on the transaction type, making the variables enormous.

“But… isn’t Tag the most likely?”

This time, Kejen cut in.

– Not necessarily. Tag practically forces combat.

“Really? Then the other options are basically choices meant to avoid forced combat.”

– That’s one way to look at it.

“Then it doesn’t really matter to us, does it? If they came for a proper trade… the choice is ours.”

– …Is it?

“If they brought the money properly, then the decision is ours. Whether to rob them—or complete a bloodless transaction.”

Jeonggu immediately countered.

“But that assumes we’re overwhelmingly stronger than them.”

“That’s right.”

“So what if they’re stronger than us?”

“Then Father goes out to beg, right? Haven’t you understood the rules yet?”

“Ah.”

Only then did Jeonggu realize that Yeongwoo had already accounted for everything, his mouth hanging open.

“Still, it’s not like some absurdly powerful monster will appear like last time.”

“Why?”

“If they were truly strong, they wouldn’t bother with a counter-proposal. They’d just enter the trading hall we created.”

It was the same logic as being more wary of a lone individual than a group.

In fact, even the mechanical inspector Mohir had entered knowing Tag would be set.

‘The stronger they are, the more relaxed they tend to be.’

Every powerhouse Yeongwoo had met so far possessed a distinctive sense of composure.

That went without saying for the Chairman—and even for Chancellor Herisa, another Earthling.

But the one appearing as this trading partner didn’t feel relaxed at all.

Since Selulite was such an expensive item, perhaps they didn’t trust the seller and had invited them into their own territory.

‘That alone shows they lack confidence in controlling the deal.’

After briefly glancing at the Bastard Sword at his waist, Yeongwoo walked straight toward the portal.

Swish.

“Let’s go. Time to finish our last job!”

* * *

Shiiiiiash!

The familiar sense of dissonance wrapped around his entire body the moment he passed through the portal.

Then, the now-familiar dome-shaped ceiling filled his vision.

‘I really am clocking out soon.’

As Yeongwoo tapped the transparent barrier blocking their path, a portal finally formed on the opposite side.

Shaaaash!

And what emerged from it was—

“…Huh?”

Flies.

Upright-walking flies, clad head-to-toe in advanced equipment, goggles covering their heads.

“What the hell are those guys?”

When Yeongwoo turned back in confusion, Kejen was already frowning at the sight.

– They look like Gesrak.

“Gesrak?”

– Cosmic scavengers. They roam around collecting scraps from everywhere and selling them.

“So… they’re basically villains then? Even aside from that, they don’t look like good guys.”

Kejen crossed his arms thoughtfully.

– Should picking up leftover trash in the universe really make them villains? Though… they are dangerous if you run into them on an isolated planet.

“Why dangerous?”

– Because the ‘scraps’ they collect include other people’s equipment.

“Then they’re just a band of robbers.”

– They simply consider everything left behind in their chosen area as salvage.

“Either way, not exactly the polite customer we were hoping for.”

When Yeongwoo turned around at that, he saw Amana nodding.

– …They certainly don’t look clean.

Even to her, the Gesrak didn’t seem benevolent.

– But this isn’t a place to judge or pass sentence on them. I only want to receive a fair price and leave.

“I don’t want to stir up trouble either. Besides, this isn’t even my item.”

As Yeongwoo said that, a pedestal bearing the Selulite rose up from the center of their side of the hall.

“Huh? Why are they presenting the item like this?”

Kejen perked up his ears and looked across the hall again.

– Don’t tell me—

Almost simultaneously—

Beeeeep!

「Transaction method: Stone Throw.」

The transaction type appeared in midair.

“Stone Throw? That’s the one where—”

[Stone Throw]

| Trade: Each trader stands at opposite ends of the hall and throws their trade item at the system’s signal.

| Exit: The exit portal appears in the center of the hall.

Red and green buttons appeared to the left and right of the device holding the Selulite.

「Before beginning Stone Throw, price setting will commence.」

「The buyer will present an initial offer. The seller may then press ‘Approve’ or ‘Reject’ to adjust the price.」

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

“Oh, so if we don’t like the price, we press the red button.”

It seemed they would agree on the price first, then proceed to the actual throwing.

“Surprisingly gentlemanly. Tossing money and goods is kind of tacky, though.”

To Yeongwoo, it oddly felt like playing a game.

Amana, however—the original owner—was visibly tense.

“So… what was the market price for this stone again?”

When Yeongwoo asked, Amana opened her beak and replied.

– Two hundred… two hundred billion Karma would be acceptable.

Kejen had already mentioned earlier that Selulite was worth around 200 billion.

And 20% of that would be Yeongwoo’s commission.

“Then we need at least 200 billion.”

Kejen voiced concern.

– If you demand too much, the deal might fall through. Gesrak do carry cash, but they’re not big spenders.

“Then why are stingy guys like them even trying to buy Selulite?”

– They’ve probably saved up enough to build a new ship.

At that moment, the system delivered its final notice.

「The number of ‘Reject’ uses in this transaction is limited to four. If the seller rejects four times, the transaction will immediately terminate.」

In other words, the Gesrak only had four chances to make offers.

If the final offer was rejected, they would lose the chance to buy Selulite.

‘And if we reject four times, we fail to sell it in time… And of all things, the buyers are flies.’

Couldn’t things ever go smoothly?

Hoping for a wealthy, relaxed customer, Yeongwoo felt a headache coming on.

「Price setting will now begin. Base unit: 100 million.」

Then, with a sharp signal, the space scavengers’ first bid appeared.

Beeeeep!

[110]

“110 billion?”

Yeongwoo frowned first, followed by Kejen’s beard bristling.

– Bastards. They’re trying to take the long road.

Yeongwoo turned to Amana.

“110 billion. Not acceptable, right? Your opinion matters most.”

Amana closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

– It’s a lot of money… so they may be cautious. But 110 billion is out of the question. After your commission, I wouldn’t even clear my debts.

“Then we reject.”

Before Amana could even finish nodding, Yeongwoo slammed the red button.

Kwaaang!

「Seller’s decision: Reject.」

As the rejection notice appeared, the flies huddled together and began whispering.

“What the hell are they even discussing? Is this something that needs debate? The fair price is 200 billion.”

As Yeongwoo’s hand hovered near Bastard, the flies finished their discussion and sent the second offer.

Beeeeep!

[125]

125 billion.

An increase of 15 billion.

Only two offers remained.

– …Do they not have the money?

Amana, growing anxious, spoke first.

Kejen tilted his head.

– Are they betting that if they stay low, we’ll cave? They shouldn’t be short on cash.

“Or they’re trying to save money here to reinforce other parts of the ship.”

As Yeongwoo muttered that, Amana snapped irritably.

– Then why save money here? Shouldn’t they cut costs elsewhere and secure Selulite first?

“Well, Selulite is a stone of virtue—and naturally, the seller is—”

Yeongwoo stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning.

“Ah. Right. They think we’re good guys.”

That explained the low bids.

– What’s wrong with me being virtuous? Even so, the price is already set. Paying fair value is only right.

“Hey, being honest doesn’t make you a villain. If there’s a sucker, exploiting them is just natural.”

At that point, Yeongwoo pressed the red button again.

Kuuung!

「Seller’s decision: Reject.」

The flies stared at them, then—without discussion—made the next offer.

Beeeeep!

[130]

130 billion.

Only 5 billion more.

They clearly had no intention of paying full value.

“This is already the third offer. If we reject again, the next one’s the last.”

– 130 billion still isn’t enough. I need at least 180 just to clear my debts.

“Then we reject again.”

Kuuung!

Yeongwoo pressed the button once more.

「Seller’s decision: Reject.」

The flies hesitated.

This was their final offer—they had to be careful.

“They started at 110 and crawled to 130. Do you really think they’ll suddenly offer 180? Even 200 feels low to me.”

At his words, Amana closed her eyes again and exhaled slowly.

– 180 billion. I’ll accept 180. Saving the planet comes first.

She was willing to hand over Selulite if they offered even that.

But the Gesrak’s final bid appeared.

Beeeeep!

[150]

150 billion.

A full 50 billion below market value.

For the first time, Amana’s expression twisted with fury.

– Those insane bastards…!

As she had emphasized repeatedly, Selulite wasn’t just a rock—it was the accumulated will of countless virtuous beings.

If not for the planet’s debts, she would never have sold it for mere money.

And even that money—

– 150 billion? Do they have no sense of decency?!

As Amana trembled in anger, Yeongwoo placed his hand over the red button and asked:

“Then reject? If we do, the deal ends here. We leave immediately.”

Meaning they’d return to planetary foreclosure with not a single coin gained.

Caught in a dilemma, Amana gripped her forehead so hard her feathers crumpled.

Thump!

– It’s… it’s insulting. 150 billion is unacceptable.

At that, Yeongwoo moved his hand from the red button to the green one.

“Then what if we take the 150 billion—and still get Selulite back?”

– …What? That’s possible? How?

Amana asked in disbelief.

Yeongwoo smiled wickedly.

“Well, people usually call that… ‘robbery.’”

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]