Chapter 31: The Richest Sucker in the Galaxy

I had to bring them in no matter what. If I couldn’t, Sector 16 would be scorched. After that, this Lucifer System wouldn’t be safe either.

“As it happens, there’s someone in our system who can help.”

“Who is that?”

There was one. A perfect sucker.

***

I immediately went to find the sucker.

“Hahaha. What brings the hero Pak Yu to visit me today?”

His expression was very benevolent. That was because he had fulfilled a long-held wish. He had secured as many ant eggs as he wanted. Finally, he would have children to carry on his family line.

“Was the implantation successful?”

“It was. We succeeded with five eggs.”

He always traveled with a massive medical ship. Inside were advanced equipment and eggs from various races. He must have tried implantation every time he found ant eggs. And he must have failed every time until now.

“Congratulations.”

Internally, I was quite surprised. Only five successes from that many eggs? Well, I suppose that was why he had tried to buy Lucifer just at the news of the Ant Pirates.

“It is all thanks to you, Sir Pak Yu.”

That was true. It was thanks to me. If not for me, even if the Ant Queen had been subjugated, they wouldn’t have secured this many eggs.

“But… what will happen to the son you adopted?”

“Sigh… I am a bit worried about that myself.”

He probably adopted a son because he thought he wouldn’t have children. However, in the game, he had somehow obtained children. Do you want to know what happened next?

‘The adopted son ran away with part of the fortune.’

The place the adopted son went was Sector 25 to the south. Small, local powerful families were fighting fiercely there to unify Sector 25 and rise to the rank of Marshal.

However.

The adopted son settled everything with his overwhelming ability. Then, he rose to the position of Marshal himself.

And after that?

He rapidly expanded his power. Later, he tore the biological children to pieces in front of his adoptive father. Wooheuk died of mental illness from the shock.

“I heard your adopted son’s military talent is outstanding.”

“Hahaha. He isn’t too bad in his own way.”

In this world, even merchants needed military power. This was because pirates and remnants of alien races were crawling everywhere.

“How about letting him become independent as a warlord? Later, after your successor inherits the merchant group, he will be a great source of strength.”

“Oh! Come to think of it, his dream as a child was to be a soldier. But you see, to become a proper warlord, wouldn’t he need a territory?”

I would have loved for him to buy this place. But this sucker wasn’t an idiot.

If he held this place as a merchant? Other Marshals wouldn’t care. In fact, they would like it because a logistics center would be built.

But settling here as a warlord power? No faction would leave that alone. They would crush him even if it meant making an enemy of Wooheuk.

“It’s not that there’s no way.”

“Oh? Is there a way?”

“Have him participate in this war. As part of our Humildas forces.”

Wooheuk stroked his chin.

“If he achieves merits, they will grant him land.”

“I know that person’s personality well.”

He was asking if that stingy guy would actually do that.

“They will carve out a part of Sector 18 and give it to him.”

Two factions were currently projecting their influence in Sector 18: Marshal Poena and Marshal Humildas.

“Aha. Since their power has weakened due to the war, they will need a gatekeeper to protect that place.”

As expected of the wealthiest man in this world, his mind worked fast.

“Our hero seems quite different from the rumors.”

Wooheuk narrowed his eyes slightly. He seemed to be trying to figure out my intentions.

This man only acted like a sucker when he could handle the consequences. Spreading money like a fool was a type of social tactic for him. Since he had more than enough money to rot.

“I am actually no different from the rumors.”

I put on a slightly relaxed expression.

“I just like eating and playing. This territory is a shackle.”

“Ah! That’s right. I forgot that the Pak family, like our Woo family, hates getting involved in politics.”

He made an expression as if he understood. At times like this, the ‘loose cannon’ title was truly helpful.

“From your perspective, you’ll need at least a draw in this war to dispose of this territory.”

“Yes. That is the Pak family’s goal.”

“Please wait a moment. I will call my adopted son.”

.

.

.

A moment later.

“I am very happy to meet the famous Pak Yu. I am Woo Ganaoda.”

A man with a gravelly voice greeted me.

“I am pleased to meet the hero I’ve heard so much about.”

I immediately stood up and offered a handshake. A cute webbed hand was placed on top of mine. For reference, Woo Ganaoda had a cute appearance resembling an otter. But you shouldn’t be fooled by his looks. He was more ferocious than anyone else once he entered combat.

*Flinch.*

Sudongtae, who was standing quietly behind me, grew tense.

*Ssssss—!*

The two seemed to be conscious of each other. The dark energy in the room froze in an instant.

“Ganaoda! You are being rude to the Young Lord.”

“I am sorry, Father.”

At Wooheuk’s warning, Woo Ganaoda quickly bowed his head and stepped back.

“I am sorry. This child has such a strong competitive spirit. He loses his mind whenever he sees someone strong.”

“I understand. My guard is the same. It’s a characteristic of heroes.”

“Thank you for looking kindly upon my foolish son. Then, shall we continue our conversation?”

We sat back down on the sofa. Wooheuk signaled me with his eyes. He wanted me to speak. I nodded slightly.

“Sir Woo Ganaoda. By any chance, are you interested in becoming a warlord?”

At those words, Woo Ganaoda looked into my eyes in surprise.

“A… a… a warlord?”

He even stuttered.

“Yes. If you achieve military merit in this war, you will be granted a territory.”

“Is… is that true?”

“The expected location is a part of Sector 18. You can grow your strength there. A man of your caliber, Sir Woo Ganaoda, might even be able to aim for the position of Marshal.”

At my words, the light in his eyes flared up. The dark energy in the room fluctuated.

‘He can’t hide his emotions.’

This was his limit. However, he was a person who should never be taken lightly. Without the player’s intervention, he would start from the fringes and unify the galaxy with a 5% probability.

“But I do not have an army.”

“Don’t worry about that. This father of yours will give you sufficient funds.”

As expected of Wooheuk. He distributed his uncontrollable wealth generously.

“Even if I have money, where would I get an army in times like these? Warships disappear as soon as they are listed for sale.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Marshal Poena is gnashing their teeth at Marshal Imperium.”

“Ah!! Those two Marshals recently clashed, didn’t they?”

Marshal Poena, a member of the most prestigious family, had suffered an embarrassingly large defeat. This incident had also caused Marshal Imperium’s reputation to soar.

“You’ll have to hurry if you want to buy an army.”

I said that as I stood up. This body of mine was very busy. To win the war, I had to move diligently.

“Then, I shall see you on another good day, Sir Wooheuk.”

“Thank you for lending your wisdom to our family.”

After saying my goodbyes, I walked out. I was glad things went well. I walked slowly down the corridor with a satisfied heart.

Just then.

*Thud! Patter-patter-patter!*

An otter came running cutely from behind. Sudongtae quickly hid me behind his back.

However.

“Thank you, Big Brother Pak Yu!”

“I haven’t really done anything.”

“No. If not for you, I would have surely been abandoned by my father.”

I didn’t know what would have happened. Only that he would have taken the money, run away, and started his own business. Of course, that was a future that would no longer happen.

“I will serve you as my Big Brother from now on!”

“How can I treat someone destined for greatness as a younger brother?”

“No. You are my benefactor, Big Brother.”

The fellow prostrated himself flat on the floor.

“Al… alright. See you next time. I’m busy because I have to carry out the mission the Marshal gave me.”

“Take care, Big Brother!!”

Woo Ganaoda prostrated himself again. I walked away quickly. I really didn’t want to get involved with that guy.

“Master. He is a man of truly ferocious spirit.”

I nodded. I didn’t want to run into him much either. Especially not in a fleet battle.

“Let’s go. We have to move diligently to win the war.”

I wanted to sell off this tiresome Lucifer System as soon as possible and leave.

Where would I go after selling it? To Sector 24, where Woo Ganaoda was originally supposed to start his business according to the story. I could grow my strength stably there.

Of course, that was only possible if we won this war.