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Chapter 501: The Chaotic Universe (8)

“These bastards clearly aren’t here to give me a present.”

As Yeongwoo drew Bastard in response to their hostility, Earth hastily projected a blue halo above its head.

It was trying to signal to those insane officials that it was a planet—so please don’t hit it.

『What on earth is going on?』

“What do you mean ‘what’s going on’? It means they’re not going to back off after getting beaten this time.”

The mere fact that the Bureau of Ship Administration had sent over a bunch of thugs made their stance abundantly clear.

They didn’t want to lose the power struggle against a planet-class ship.

After all, from the government’s perspective, could they really choose to bow down to a mere shipowner?

‘They’re trying to establish control before I get too big to handle.’

In a way, it was a wise move.

Time was on the shipowner’s side, and the longer they waited, the harder it would be to enforce any control.

So if they wanted his biometric data, today might be their only chance to obtain it.

“What the hell do they even need biometric data for to go this far?”

Yeongwoo frowned deeply and muttered, when behind him, Kubu quietly appeared.

Ssshhh.

―If the Bureau of Ship Administration obtains your biometric data, they’ll be able to assess your martial prowess, bloodline connections, and authority level in real time, Master.

“What?”

It was, quite literally, private information.

They had probably already gathered quite a bit of data on Yeongwoo through other means, but now they wanted to directly extract his core data.

―Of course, this is all legal under the Bureau’s regulations.

Owning a ship meant you had left your home planet and could now roam the universe freely.

So the government wanted to track what level of existence had been released into space—that’s what Kubu explained.

No one voluntarily discloses how strong they are or what new weapons they’ve recently acquired, after all.

―It’s the same logic as the Family Courts receiving regular reports about the scale and strength of each noble family.

“But this is extremely private information. Even if it’s the government—this is over the line, isn’t it?”

And besides, officials could be bribed.

In other words, if someone managed to bribe one of these ship administrators, they could get detailed information about anyone they wanted.

‘Damn it, like I’m the only one bribing officials.’

The more you know, the more dangerous it gets.

Yeongwoo immediately realized that if he handed over his biometric data today, he’d lose a critical card he could’ve used against the government later.

Which meant…

“Guess today’s the first time I’ll be assaulting an official.”

He muttered coldly, Bastard’s red shadow stretching along the floor.

Seeing this, the ‘one-eyed’ official pulled something from their lower back.

Whoosh.

It was a small, black metallic object—no bigger than a palm.

A government-issued nameplate inscribed with transcendental characters.

■ As of this moment, the Bureau of Ship Administration will execute a lawful extraction of your biometric data.

With that, the one-eyed man shot the nameplate toward Yeongwoo’s left eye.

Shhhiiing!

It came at such speed that even a top-tier swordsman wouldn’t have reacted in time—his eye would’ve been pierced.

But Yeongwoo casually raised his arm and caught the nameplate between his index finger and thumb.

Tap!

The one-eyed man smirked as if impressed.

■ As expected—you’re good.

“What is this?”

■ Procedure. You have the right to know who we are, after all.

“……”

Yeongwoo glanced down at the front of the nameplate, where the shimmering transcendental letters rippled like oil and revealed their meaning.

[Zelo06] – Rank 16

[Kuahtan04] – Rank 17

[Ridio11] – Rank 17

| Bureau of Ship Administration 019I71

| Biometric Data Collection Team 2

“Valuable data, used for the public good.”

*Verbal or physical abuse of government officials constitutes immediate arrest. Please refrain if possible.

“Biometric Data Collection Team 2?”

Yeongwoo tilted his head in confusion as he read the center of the nameplate.

“Planet-class ships are more dangerous to deal with than others, right? Then why send Team 2 instead of Team 1?”

This time, the ‘Black Orb’ tilted its massive body further and looked down at Yeongwoo.

Creak.

■ Team 1 is currently unable to fulfill duties due to personal reasons.

“‘Personal reasons’?”

That likely meant dead or injured.

Probably ran into trouble while trying to extract data from another high-level shipowner.

And the person who took Team 1 out of commission might’ve been another planet-class shipowner too.

‘There were at least nine other planet-ships before Earth, after all… It’s entirely possible.’

And let’s not forget—spacefaring civilizations often have very different time scales from Earth.

So even if Team 1 was incapacitated thousands of years ago, it wouldn’t be unusual.

“If Team 1 got wrecked during this same job, shouldn’t you reduce the workload instead of just handing it off to Team 2?”

Yeongwoo shook his head in disbelief, but the one-eyed man simply responded with a question.

■ Then, would you be willing to voluntarily hand over your biometric data—for the sake of reducing our workload?

“Hell no.”

Negotiations collapsed instantly.

As if expecting this, the one-eyed man leapt from the Black Orb’s hand to the floor of the assembly hall.

Thud!

■ …Initiating collection procedure.

With those words, the official in the black suit also launched himself toward the arena floor.

Swoosh!

And finally—

■ Before commencing official duties, I shall identify myself.

The ‘Black Orb’ straightened its body and introduced itself.

■ I am Zelo, 16th-rank Senior Enforcer of the Bureau of Ship Administration.

“Ah, as expected. The highest rank has the best manners.”

■ I’m Kuahtan, 17th-rank Enforcer.

The one-eyed man’s name was Kuahtan.

Which meant the remaining guy in the suit was—

■ My name is Ridio. 17th-rank Enforcer.

With that, Ridio pulled a small pistol from inside his jacket.

Shff.

"You can't be serious—guns? Isn’t that cheating?"

■ This execution is legal. However, since it’s a forced enforcement through physical means, self-defense will be recognized.

It meant the warning printed on their business cards no longer applied.

*Verbal or physical abuse of government officials constitutes immediate arrest. Please refrain if possible.

“Oh yeah? You bastards are about to learn that you can’t just win ownership of a planet-class ship by playing a damn game of slap match.”

Having accepted that a fight was now unavoidable, Yeongwoo took a combat stance.

That’s when the “Black Orb,” Zelo, announced in a calm voice:

■ This duel is to collect biometric data from you, Jeong Yeongwoo_07. As the first negotiation failed to reach a proper conclusion, we have moved to forced enforcement.

Then he stretched his long, thin arms straight out to the sides and continued.

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■ Although this is a forced enforcement through physical means, this duel is also a government-sanctioned operation under the supervision of the Ship Management Bureau. Therefore, 'killing' is strictly prohibited under the law.

In other words, either side—Yeongwoo or the public officials—could beat the other to the brink of death, but not beyond.

If someone did get killed, that would be an immediate arrest for murder.

■ Now then, we will begin the forced enforcement.

With that, Zelo clapped his elongated arms together.

SMAAACK!

A shockwave exploded from the point of contact between his palms.

BOOOOM!

“You sons of bitches...!”

That was already an attack.

The shockwave not only lifted Yeongwoo’s feet off the ground, but also momentarily impaired his hearing.

Ziiiiing...

The faint ringing in his ears was proof of that.

And in that very same instant—

Tat!

The suited man, Ridio, swiftly raised his pistol and aimed it at Yeongwoo.

■ Let’s see if you can block bullets too, tough guy!

“What?”

As Yeongwoo steadied his shaken balance and looked up—

BANG!

Ridio’s gun fired.

“You insane...”

Yeongwoo had never imagined he’d one day face a gun-wielding civil servant.

Fortunately, his divine relic—imbued with the spirits of Lord Bang and the brothers—acted to protect him from such unpredictability.

Tiiing!

Yeongwoo reflexively raised Aratubank, which easily blocked the bullet.

■ Ugh...

Ridio let out a flustered grunt, but the public officials’ assault wasn’t over yet.

Because up above, Kuahtan was already stabbing down with a thorn-blade.

■ That’s far enough!

A combo of rapid gunfire followed by a thorn-blade thrust—it was quite the threat.

“Damn it...!”

Yeongwoo didn’t even have time to catch his breath.

He swung Bastard to knock away the incoming blade.

WHAAANG!

But what actually happened was—

Splat!

“Huh?”

The thorn-blade suddenly split itself into four parts, bypassing Bastard and crashing down onto Yeongwoo’s upper body.

“Wh—!”

Yeongwoo instantly sensed that something had gone very wrong.

As he frantically tried to pull back—

BOOOOM!

The thorn-blade fragments all exploded simultaneously, spewing out thick black smoke.

‘What the hell are these guys...?’

A surprise ranged combo to start the fight.

A self-shattering, booby-trapped thorn-blade.

Yeongwoo realized: these guys had fought myths before.

Normal equipment couldn’t withstand mythical attacks. That’s why they fought like this.

「You are now within the range of the weakening effect: “Toxic Miasma.” Please vacate the area.」

A hologram guide then advised him to relocate.

‘“Toxic miasma”? So that’s why my eyes are stinging…’

As Yeongwoo quickly jumped back, he suddenly felt a huge presence stirring right in front of his face.

WHOOOSH!

■ This is usually where a clean hit lands. Looks like I’ll get to go home on time today.

“…!”

As soon as Yeongwoo escaped the smoke and opened his eyes, Zelo’s fist was already slamming into his chest.

BOOOM!

With a brutal impact, a shockwave pierced through his Vesedel armor and crushed his sternum.

“Ghhk!”

Thanks to his Berserker Talisman, the pain disappeared immediately—but he could tell his insides were a mess.

Blood burst from his throat like a fountain.

“GRAAAAGHH!!”

As Yeongwoo let out a feral scream, spewing blood, Zelo’s fist began to sizzle as it pulled out of his chest.

SSSSHHHH!

■ …?

【Corrosive Blood】

|Blood becomes corrupted, gaining corrosiveness.

Zelo had been drenched in Yeongwoo’s blood.

As a result, his hand and forearm began corroding rapidly.

Panicking, Zelo tried to pull his arm back, but Yeongwoo grabbed him instead.

Grab!

“What’s wrong? Never met a shipowner with toxic blood before?”

■ ...This is why we need biological data. Unpredictable variables are dangerous.

Yeongwoo then twisted Zelo’s wrist and bared his teeth.

“You’d better hope Collection Team 3 is on standby. You’re about to have personal reasons to need them.”

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