Chapter 600

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Chapter 600: Common Sense (2)

“What? So you’re saying everyone had to wait until some reckless idiot dismantled a ship piece by piece first?”

Yeongwoo asked, unable to close his mouth.

Kejen shook his head.

—Reckless? At times like this, you should at least call it bravery. They’re the ones taking the risk for us.

“No, no matter how you look at it, are there really that many idiots? You’re saying that every time you stole a ship, you waited for someone else to tear it open first.”

—The universe is vast. There are plenty of brave fools out there.

With that, Kejen rose as if there was no more time to waste.

—We need to move. If we delay, the competition will only increase!

He started running toward the direction where the loud noise had come from earlier.

Tap-tap!

With no choice, Yeongwoo and the rest of the group followed Kejen, and before long, they saw it.

Kraaang!

A navy-blue ship, with chunks of metal plating falling off.

—Oh. What’s this?

Kejen, who spotted the ship first, let out a surprised sound.

Naturally, Yeongwoo had to ask.

“What is it? Why are you so surprised?”

—The ship is navy blue.

“…So what?”

—That means it has a high Katangdal content.

“Ah.”

Only then did Yeongwoo recall that Katangdal ingots were a deep blue color.

The closer the ship’s outer hull was to deep navy, the higher the Katangdal content—and the more expensive the vessel.

“So all white ships are low-grade junk?”

—Not necessarily. White is often just paint, and many ships add separate outer plating.

But one thing was certain: ships tinted navy or deep blue were, nine times out of ten, extremely valuable.

“Oh, then…”

What came to Yeongwoo’s mind next was none other than Satral’s ship.

Wasn’t the vessel that Bioto, head of the Satral family, arrived in also navy blue?

‘So they really were a major family from our galaxy… it wasn’t a lie.’

You only notice once you know.

The saying fit perfectly.

—Come on, hurry!

Kejen slowed his pace slightly and shoved Yeongwoo’s back.

“Why am I going first? Aren’t you the guide?”

—You’re the one who has to use force.

Where Kejen pointed, black-skinned, one-eyed goblins were prying open the ship’s hull and crawling inside.

In other words, they’d have to settle things with those guys before boarding.

“Do people kill each other over whether to share a ride?”

—Usually fights break out after leaving the Black Zone. Before boarding, it’s rare—though scuffles aren’t uncommon.

“So we should resolve this with words if possible.”

—If things get too noisy, the Black Zone authorities intervene directly. The hangars are considered semi-secure zones, after all.

“For a secure zone, it looks pretty open about stealing ships.”

Tilting his head, Yeongwoo did as Kejen said and sprinted toward the ship.

Pap!

Sensing Yeongwoo’s presence, the goblins poked their heads out from inside the ship.

—What the hell? Already more guests?

—Hey! This one’s full. Go find another—

Before they could even finish frowning, Yeongwoo’s foot flew out.

Puuung!

“No room? Then you get out.”

—What? You bastard…!

The goblins charged Yeongwoo after the sudden kick, but it was pointless.

After all, Yeongwoo was someone who had wrestled with planets.

Puh-buh-buk!

With lightning-fast punches, Yeongwoo subdued three goblins in an instant, then pointed outside without even asking their opinion.

“Get out. I’ll spare your lives.”

—…?

Without further words, he kicked them out of the ship.

Baaang!

Seeing the goblins tumble out, Jeonggu, who had been running over, gasped.

“W-what… is this okay?”

“As long as we didn’t kill them.”

But the boarding chaos was only beginning.

From afar, a whole mob of villains was running toward them.

“Damn… how many are there?”

—It’s always like this. But we were faster. If we hurry and seal the hull, we’re fine.

Meanwhile, Kejen had already crawled inside the ship, urgently looking around.

“What are you looking for?”

—A welding tool. Those guys should’ve had one.

“A welding tool? You need that?”

—What, are you planning to fly with the hull torn open?

At Kejen’s gesture toward the gaping hull plates, Yeongwoo immediately understood.

Then he looked down at the goblins still groaning on the ground beneath the ship.

“Hey, one-eyes.”

—…?

“Where’s the welding tool? Tell me, and I’ll let you ride.”

—What?

Their single eyes widened, but unfortunately, they didn’t have it.

—W-we didn’t bring one. Don’t you have it?

“So you’re all the same trash.”

In the end, they’d planned to use someone else’s welding tool too.

And while that was happening, the other groups finally arrived.

—Hey! Move aside!

—We’re all in the same boat—let’s keep this easy.

[Translator - Night]

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From one-eyed to four-eyed, every species in the universe seemed to be here.

Yeongwoo drew Bastard and stood in the gap of the hull, surveying the crowd.

“Welding tool.”

—…Huh?

—What did you say?

“Only those with a welding tool get on. Sorry, but the rest should find another ship.”

Instantly, shouts erupted from all directions.

—What kind of nonsense is that?!

—This is the only open ship around!

—Isn’t sharing the ride the rule? You gonna break the ‘rules’?

“What kind of bullshit says sharing is a rule? In the Black Zone, the number one principle is ‘strength,’ isn’t it?”

Yeongwoo pointed Bastard at the villains outside the ship.

Whoosh!

“If you’re confident, come in. By your beloved rules, I won’t kill anyone before the ship departs.”

Which meant he’d do anything short of killing.

—……

—T-this lunatic.

Faced with his ominous presence, no one dared rush in, only hesitating.

At that moment, Kejen waved both arms, trying to calm things down.

—Hey, don’t worry so much. This guy’s getting off soon. Just get on, and you’ll reach your destination safely. I guarantee it.

It was also for Kejen’s own safety, since he’d be the one piloting the ship after Yeongwoo disembarked.

Thud!

Kejen grabbed the split hull plates.

—If we have a welding tool, we can leave immediately. Anyone really got one?

At his desperate question, a group finally raised their hands among the crowd.

—We have one.

They were orcs wearing goggles, rifles slung over their shoulders.

‘What the hell… space orcs?’

Yeongwoo stared, mouth slightly open.

All the orcs he’d met before used cold steel weapons, so seeing high-tech-armed orcs felt bizarre.

“Is it okay to let those guys on?”

Yeongwoo whispered to Kejen, but Kejen tilted his head instead.

—Why not? Is there a problem…?

“….”

Yeongwoo looked at an orc casually pulling out an electronic cigarette.

“…No. I guess that’s just my prejudice.”

His lack of knowledge about the universe was the real issue.

So Yeongwoo decided to be bolder.

“Fine. Orcs, bring the welding tool and get on.”

As he gestured them over, the black one-eyed goblins raised their hands.

—We didn’t have a welding tool, but we were the ones who opened the ship. Don’t we have the right to ride?

“Huh?”

Thinking about it, they had a point.

Risking their lives to pry open the hull first was arguably more impressive than just having a welding tool.

“Fair enough. Pioneer bonus granted. You’re in too.”

As Yeongwoo stepped aside, the orcs and goblins hurried aboard.

Kejen quickly took the welding tool from the orcs and began sealing the hull.

—Sorry, friends! Better luck next time!

Trd-deuk!

With the hatch sealed, Kejen reversed the welding tool and began emergency welding.

Hissss!

“What, the back end was a welder too?”

—Quit saying useless things and get to the cockpit. Hit the output button.

“What does the output button look like?”

At Yeongwoo’s clueless question, Amana lightly tapped him.

—I’ll find it.

The ship they’d seized was about 20 meters long, so finding the cockpit was easy.

“Would this count as a light-medium ship?”

—Closer to small. You really know nothing.

“Still, you can become a planetary ship owner with this. Space is easy.”

—…….

At the cockpit, Amana pressed a red button among the complex controls.

Beeeeep!

Lights flickered on throughout the ship, and soon the engine’s vibration could be felt.

“Is it preheating?”

—Yes. But since it’s small, it won’t take long.

By then, Kejen entered the cockpit with the goblins and high-tech orcs.

—Now all that’s left is to set the route. First destination… ‘that place,’ right?

Kejen looked at Yeongwoo, who nodded.

“Yeah, but… do you all have different destinations? Do we need to drop everyone off before the ship’s empty?”

At that question, Kejen replied with a slightly darkened expression.

—That’s how it works…? But why? Whether the ship’s empty or not doesn’t concern you.

Yeongwoo immediately raised Bastard to Kejen’s neck.

Whoosh!

“Ah, I’ve had a change of heart.”

—…What?

“You said this ship has a high Katangdal content, right? I just happened to need a ship. Perfect timing.”

—What? You… are you planning to rob us?

“Was this ship yours to begin with? I’m just taking it over.”

He flicked the tip of Bastard.

“So quit whining and input the only route. Destination: Earth Ship. Let’s all go witness the wonders of space.”

—You crazy bastard.

“Crazy? In the villain business, this is just ‘common sense.’”

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