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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 439: The Value of a Planetary Ship (5)
The Sun, Moro.
The only star in the solar system.
A massive celestial body with about 330,000 times the mass and roughly 1.3 million times the volume of Earth.
Its overwhelming size gave it a "Prestige Level" of 66, a measure of cosmic presence more than anything else...
‘Ugh, the light is blinding.’
What made the sun truly significant in this system was that it emitted its own light.
And as soon as its presence was felt, the brightness in the room surged beyond tolerable levels.
Flaaash!
“Ugh!”
It felt like he might actually go blind if he endured it any longer.
So, Yeongwoo glanced sidelong at Earth across the way.
There, Earth—already bowing deeply to the ground—entered his field of vision.
‘Well, I suppose they’ve been worshiping the Sun for eons.’
And not just Earth.
The other long-standing members of this planetary system—Pluto, Svera, and Jupiter, Voltu—were also groveling with their heads pressed to the ground.
『…….』
To them, the Sun was an absolute entity.
And judging by its Presence Level, that wasn't far from the truth.
『I am Moro, the one who shines of my own accord.』
At last, a voice descended from above everyone’s heads—clearly the Sun’s.
Then came a line aimed directly at Yeongwoo.
『There is one among you who fails to show due respect.』
One who fails to show due respect.
It was an odd remark.
Given the enormous gap in Prestige Level between Yeongwoo and the Sun, technically, he was already “showing respect.”
Even if he tried to challenge the Sun, his combat power wouldn’t fully activate in such a difference.
Yet, separate from such mechanics, Yeongwoo's attitude was undeniably stiff, and the Sun had picked up on that.
Swaaa!
The brightness inside the room surged again, becoming completely unbearable.
“…Tch!”
Forced to close his eyes tightly, Yeongwoo felt the immense presence settle closer to the ground.
Tap.
With a light scraping sound, even though his eyes were shut, his yellow-tinged vision turned to white.
『The life and death of every being in this system depends on me. And yet you do not show proper respect—why is that?』
The Sun's voice now sounded much closer than before.
So, keeping his eyes closed, Yeongwoo turned his head toward the source of the voice.
Ssh.
And then, he said something dangerous—something that might well become his last words.
“Because all that describes you is 'the one who shines of own accord.'”
『…What?』
As expected, a wave of displeasure radiated from the Sun’s short response.
The other planets visibly flinched.
Messing with the mood of a being with such absolute power could get not only this insane human but the entire solar system obliterated.
But Yeongwoo had just stepped on the gas pedal.
“The Master of Hundred-Thousand Sword Mountain.”
『……!』
“That is one of the titles of the Chairman I serve. Can you feel the difference?”
As Yeongwoo spoke, the Sun responded from beyond the blinding white.
『How impudent.』
“Impudent? I merely speak the truth. The great beings I’ve encountered all define themselves through feats they achieved.”
Even Lemu, who the Chairman referred to as a lowly machine, was building a Tower of Machinery to study the Records.
In other words, the truly significant beings of the universe each had something they had built with their own hands.
“But what about you, Sun?”
『…….』
When Yeongwoo turned the question back at him, the Sun fell silent.
“The one who shines of own accord.”
That wasn’t something the Sun had achieved—it was something it had been given.
“I have already shown formal respect through the rules of order. You could kill me right now with a mere flick of your finger.”
Then he added one more line.
“But you will not receive the genuine respect that comes from my heart. Because I already serve one who has achieved greatness with his own hands.”
『…You really are a creature baked by Earth.』
Surprisingly, the Sun responded with a flexible tone.
Which made sense—after all, Yeongwoo was invoking the name of none other than Chairman Dogo, a Third-rank entity.
And although Yeongwoo couldn’t see it with his eyes closed, on his right shoulder, Dogo’s sigil was glowing brightly.
This was a tacit sign that the universal arms manufacturing giant Dogo was backing this little creature.
Not to mention, the armor Yeongwoo wore bore the crest of the royal family of Vesedel.
【Vesedel Royal Family’s Protection】
|This armor serves as a symbol of the royal family.
Though the Vesedel royal family was in decline, it wasn’t something an average star could ignore.
『You’re bold, but you reek of arrogance.』
At last, the Sun launched a counterattack.
『If it weren’t for that insignia you carry, you'd already be ashes. Do you think you're standing before me on your own power?』
Yeongwoo tilted his head.
“Why would you compare yourself to a mere creature like me? You were born with the ability to shine.”
Then he gave a sly smile and added:
“And even now, all you know how to do is shine.”
『You son of a b—』
Something inside the Sun snapped—snap.
Sensing this, Earth, Pluto, and Jupiter all screamed at once.
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[Translator - Night]
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『Are you actually insane…?』
『Stop! Do you want to get us all killed?!』
『How dare you, you wretched creature!』
But Yeongwoo was already opening his mouth again.
"Are you angry at the words of this lowly being? Why? Is it not because, as you yourself said, the Sun is merely one who shines of its own accord?"
That was true.
Though the Sun was revered as an absolute being within its own solar system, in reality, it was nothing more than a common star in this galaxy.
Just like the planets that looked up to it, it was merely a part of the backdrop, bound to move along a given orbit.
But what about Yeongwoo?
"I may have been born a mere creature, but even so, I stand here facing one who shines of their own accord. Can you truly say I have achieved nothing?"
Jeong Yeongwoo07 and the Sun, Moro.
There was an overwhelming difference in majesty between the two, so vast it was unthinkable to compare.
But at least in the official records, Yeongwoo’s achievements were likely documented far more extensively.
That was why Yeongwoo had dared to say he would not show deference to the Sun.
After all, wasn't stature measured by the significance of one’s achievements?
Even by the standards of cosmic judgment, this mere being named Jeong Yeongwoo had proven far more than the Sun ever had.
And yet, the reason Yeongwoo couldn't even open his eyes properly now was purely—
"...Birth. If we exclude the difference in birth, what truly remains between us? You are not yet ready to receive my respect."
As Yeongwoo adopted a stance far beyond that of a mere being, it was the Sun who was taken aback.
Throughout its long existence, the Sun had only ever encountered beings within the solar system or from neighboring planetary systems.
Naturally, reverence and obedience followed—because within the solar system, the Sun was an irreplaceable force.
But now, this new arrival challenged the Sun on equal footing, arguing that if stripped of status, there would be little difference between them.
It left the Sun at a loss for words.
Especially considering the absurdity of the situation—a star versus a mere human.
『You... Do you mean to deny the order of the universe?』
The Sun’s voice asked with a hint of disbelief, despite knowing it could reduce Yeongwoo to ashes with just a breath.
Yeongwoo, the mere being, replied:
"Of course not. By the order of the universe, my life already belongs to you, O Sun. But...!"
In the blinding whiteness that filled the space, Yeongwoo raised a finger to point toward the sky.
Whoosh!
"The order of the universe honors those who are great. But would killing this lowly creature truly be a great act?"
『.......』
Even to the Sun, this sounded like a cheap line to avoid death, but still—it hesitated once more.
『Then tell me. What do you think is a truly great act?』
Because as absurd as it was, this mere being had summoned not only the planets of the solar system but even the Sun itself to this place.
It was undeniably impressive.
Perhaps in this being’s world, the one named Jeong Yeongwoo07 truly was great.
And so, the Sun was curious.
What could this small but intriguing creature have risked its life to oppose it for?
『Speak. For these may be your last words.』
An order, effectively, to leave a final will.
Then, to the Sun’s surprise, Yeongwoo opened his eyes wide.
"...Kh!"
Of course, he still couldn’t see anything because of the overwhelming light, but he looked up at the sky, at least in form.
"Birth...!"
『What did you say?』
"Overcoming the limits of one’s birth—is that not the true mark of greatness?"
Then Yeongwoo turned his gaze—toward the direction from which the Sun’s presence was felt.
"As a mere human, I have spent my whole life unable to look directly at the Sun. But now...!"
Yeongwoo forced open his eyes, even though he still couldn't see a thing.
"I dare to face the Sun! Is that not proof that I’ve overcome the limits of my birth?"
Even if it would soon leave him in ashes, it wasn’t an untrue claim.
"And if the mighty Sun were to overcome its own limits...!"
『What...?』
This was Yeongwoo’s main point.
As he stepped forward, blindly waving his hand to keep the conversation going, the Sun’s presence visibly wavered.
"What do you think would happen, if even the Sun were to transcend its limits?"
To this question, echoing through the white void, the Sun instinctively shook its head.
『I—I don’t know, you crazy bastard.』
In the Sun’s voice, there was a faint trace of fear.
For a star, overcoming its limits meant breaking free from its orbit.
The Sun knew this.
And sensing this shift, Earth lifted its head amid the overwhelming light.
Swish.
Then, with words that even made Yeongwoo pause, it spoke its first sentence.
『What’s this, Lord Sun? Don’t tell me you’re scared? I’ve already installed cannons, you know. Don’t put me in a tough spot.』
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[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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