Chapter 49 (1/2)

SoJ Episode 3 Chapter 49

Episode 3: Age of Ghosts / Chapter 49: Sovereign

TL: emptycube

Editor: Obelisk

The store, specifically used by sovereigns, was known as the ‘Logistics Tower’. Choi Hyuk met Mechas in front of the stairs of the Logistics Tower entrance. He was leaning against the dark wall of the stairs, waiting for Choi Hyuk.

{Oh, a familiar face. It’s you, right? The earthling.}

It was a pleasant voice. Like the tone of a large bra.s.s instrument.

Mechas was a robot built of metal. Like muscles, large and small pieces of metal covered his body and every time he moved, an elegant and subtle wave rippled. He slouched forward like a gorilla, placing his long arms that looked to almost touch the ground on his waist, and swaggered towards him.

His face was like a mosaic, the metal pieces on his face moved to form expressions. He grinned.

{I’m Mechas. Flare-Rain asked me to guide you through the Logistics Tower. The mood became too serious and she felt awkward to do it herself or something like that? Keuk. Anyways, she’s quite the meddlesome girl.}

Mechas tapped Choi Hyuk’s shoulder and took the lead.

{Anyways, I am indebted to her so I’ll guide you well. Just follow me.}

Then he started to climb the dark, dim stairs.

The Logistics Tower was the only place with stairs within the supply store. It was a place where you could go up and down instead of walking around. Bright text s.h.i.+ned like neon signs on the run-down walls. If Choi Hyuk was a bit older, he might have thought of the dark, remote stores in Yongsan Electronics Market or Nakwon Shopping Center. They were like the stores that were dark all day long, with cracked white cement, and signs forbidding students from entering.

It wasn’t only the Logistics Tower but all the shops he had pa.s.sed matched the name lowest ranked shops and were unpleasant. However, as there were almost no people near the Logistics Tower, it was a level drearier.

{It’s because only sovereigns can pa.s.s here. And sovereigns are rare.}

“Can other species come here besides their sovereigns?”

{What did you hear me say just now? Only sovereigns can enter the Logistics Tower… Oh, aha! You’re talking about the supply store in general, not the Logistics Tower, right? Yeah. So your species is a Consumables one, huh? Deferred, to be exact, right? Then yeah, you’re right. Other species can come to the supply store once they’ve been designated as warriors. Even if they aren’t sovereigns. Though they can’t use the Logistics Tower.}

“…”

Those f.u.c.king Consumables. That f.u.c.king Deferred status. Every time he heard it, he felt depressed.

“How do you get a warrior designation?”

{Species, who have gotten rid of the Consumables Judgment, go through an examination of qualifications.  If you spend 10,000 Mission points, you can obtain the right to attempt the lowest ranked warrior evaluation. Well, normally they pa.s.s if they have the ability to get 10,000 Mission Points.}

“You have to get rid of the Consumables Judgment… meaning Consumables aren’t even worth evaluating.”

Choi Hyuk bit his lip, but Mechas didn’t care in the slightest. He heard the sound of metal brus.h.i.+ng against each other from Mechas’s body. Mechas chattered on with his high-pitched voice that sounded like a saxophone. Although Choi Hyuk couldn’t understand the actual language, from the translated message, it seemed that he was teasing him.

{That’s right. Aiya~ your shoulders must feel heavy. Sovereigns need to do well in order to rid their species can of the Consumables Judgment.}

“… How is it normally?”

{Well, they say 7 or 8 out of 10 fail and end up as Consumables.}

“And if they end up as Consumables?”

{I’m not sure. I’m only a lowest ranked warrior so I don’t know exactly, but they say that your entire species gets thrown into a monster-infested planet. Of course, there is no return code. It’s sort of like a hara.s.sing the rear tactic… but the result is, of course, complete annihilation.}

“Crazy…”

Involuntary curses erupted from Choi Hyuk’s mouth.

Even though he didn’t have a lot of affection towards humanity, he couldn’t help but feel angry. They rank species that are living well by themselves however they want and if they fall short, they drive the whole species into a corner?

{Keke, you carry a lot on your shoulders, friend.}

Mechas said provokingly before going ahead.

“Where are you going? I was planning on checking out the equipment shop facilities first.”

{Equipment shops? You must have quite the fortune. Anyways, you can build those later. Just trust me and follow behind.}

Mechas pa.s.sed through a dark hallway and opened a door. Unlike the hallway which wasn’t maintained properly, the room was wide and normal. All sorts of fist-sized patterns were floating in the air.

{If you’re a sovereign buying facilities for the first time, you need to reveal your trait and fate. Especially when you have a Consumables judgment.}

“What’s that?”

Choi Hyuk, who felt that the order had been reversed, asked in an unsatisfied voice. Mechas didn’t care.

{What do you mean ‘what is it’? It’s the basics that make you stronger. Though equipment might look really important right now, if you look at the future, they aren’t even comparable.}

Mechas didn’t give a proper explanation. He simply shoved Choi Hyuk forward. His strength was so strong that Choi Hyuk, who was suddenly pushed, entered into the crowd of floating patterns.

“What the h.e.l.l are y…!”

Choi Hyuk, who was about to burst into anger, suddenly became surprised and unsheathed the Predator’s Blade.

{Ho? You have good senses. It seems like you’re not a sovereign for nothing.}

Mechas’s voice sounded faint, however, Choi Hyuk wasn’t able to pay attention due to the gazes that were observing him. Observing him? No. They were scanning his skin. No. It wasn’t even that. Foreign karma pa.s.sed through his skin, entering inside him, and kneaded his organs.

“What is this…”

As he didn’t know what seized control of him, he couldn’t act recklessly. Before he could do anything, he was surrounded. The unfamiliar sensation, that felt as if pudding was being crammed into his body, was unpleasant.

{Don’t worry. It’s scanning to find the most suitable ‘fate’ for you.}

“That’s why I’m saying. What is this fate…?”

The unfamiliar sensation was no longer the problem. His mind was becoming detached. Mechas’s voice and his own reply were getting further and further away.

…

He felt as if he had dozed off.

Suddenly, the world became brighter. No, it became darker? The unfamiliar sensation that filled his entire body had at some point disappeared. Though he felt displeased at the fact he had momentarily lost consciousness, there were no other dangers. Mechas moved his hollow eyes. An amused att.i.tude.

3 patterns approached Choi Hyuk. Then, a message appeared.

{Apt.i.tude examination complete. Three suitable fates outputted. You are currently able to activate one.}

{Your karma will develop when you do the relevant actions of the fate you have chosen.}

{Sovereigns are able to record their suitable fate in the supply-type fate shop.}

_______

{Suitable Fates}

Fight Addict: 100% Apt.i.tude

The more intensely you fight, the longer a fight lasts, or the deeper your concentration gets from being immersed in a fight, the faster your karma will develop.

Undying One: 93% Apt.i.tude

Every time you survive a life-threatening situation, your karma will develop in large leaps.

Raging One: 81% Apt.i.tude

The more intensely enraged you become, the faster your karma will develop.