I arrived at a planet leading a fleet of thirty ships. In the distance, a peaceful-looking blue planet came into view.
“Let’s move behind the moon.”
As we approached, I sent out a signal.
[Halt… Please halt. We are the Top Ascent Company. We are currently developing a colony here. Please divert your course. Approaching any further is a violation of the Imperial Colonization Act.]
They seemed quite flustered. For the record, colony development was often kept a secret because of pirates coming to loot. However, deploying a large military force was also a significant expense. Violating the Imperial Colonization Act carried a sentence heavier than murder since it was considered the foundation of the Empire.
“I am the Master of this Mungom Star System.”
[We apologize, but we have a development permit. Furthermore, we understand that the Governor of the Mungom Star System is Master Dianathet.]
“He is still the Governor, yes. However, I have occupied the territory. I wish to purchase the colony development rights. I will pay you handsomely.”
If I took it by force, I would make an enemy of Top Ascent Company. They were a massive corporation specializing in colony development. There was also the risk of violating Imperial Law.
[We are sorry, but we are just before the harvest…]
“The renewal date for your permit is approaching. For the safety of the star system, I do not intend to grant any development permits or renewals for the time being.”
Once colony development is successful, it falls under the jurisdiction of the local authority. Of course, during the colonization process, the developers take half of the massive amount of mana stones, items, and slaves generated. Finally, the ownership is put up for auction. If a noble bids there, it becomes a fief rather than a direct imperial territory.
[Please… first, prove your identity.]
I turned my head. The communications officer, Diana Jyot, transmitted the official code issued by the Mungom Center.
[The… Scoundrel! Pa… Pak Yu?!]
They were startled. Even though they were tucked away out here, it seemed they regularly obtained newspapers.
‘Flap!’
A white flag was raised.
[We… we will cooperate.]
***
Who knew the title of “Scoundrel” would be this useful? They raised the white flag the moment they heard my name.
“It is an honor to meet Master Pak Yu, the dream of every man in the Empire.”
“Enough with the flattery. How far has the terraforming progressed?”
“It’s at 70%. We are progressing at 10% per year.”
“Bring it up to 100% within 1 week.”
“Then… the losses will be too great!!”
“Didn’t I say I’m buying this colony anyway?”
I included the mana stones, slaves, and items in the price and finished signing the contract.
“In… in that case, we will cooperate. First, let me explain the situation.”
High, giant towers were rising from the development planet. They were built by the Top Ascent Company.
“The rule is that if a floor is not cleared within 3 months, 5% of the livestock belonging to that country will be killed.”
Monsters were created by twisting the planet’s will. The abilities of the Awakeners were also created through the planet’s will. Some referred to the planet’s will as Gaia or the Goddess. Terraforming was the process of consuming this will.
In this process, the wild livestock become humans. It was a tutorial to become a cosmic species.
“Is there a Constellation System as well?”
“Yes! There is. It was created to support the livestock that are too good to kill.”
I nodded.
“Finish the terraforming within 1 week.”
“If we do that, many slaves will be generated, but the recovery of mana stones and items will be low. We have put seven years of effort into this planet. You should wait at least three more years…”
The employee looked gloomy. After putting in seven years of effort, it must be disappointing to stop here.
“Since I bought it, I will bear the brunt. Profit isn’t my objective.”
I sat down.
“Find me the livestock using the name Gororo.”
“Understood.”
The Top Ascent Company employees moved busily.
‘Beep!’
A slender human male’s face appeared on the screen. Is he not a person? No. Creatures with a double helix structure are livestock. It has nothing to do with intellectual capacity. That is why they have no human rights.
Once terraforming is complete, the genes of the survivors will become a triple helix structure. They will be able to sense dark energy and matter and manipulate the Force. They will become a true cosmic species.
Even so, they wouldn’t be immediately recognized as citizens of the Empire. The cost of terraforming is charged to them. Half remain on the planet as second-class citizens, while the other half are sold as slaves across the universe. Slaves are treated slightly better than livestock.
At least since I bought the development rights for this planet myself, they would escape slavery. And by moving up the completion date, far more people would survive than planned. In exchange, the profits would be lower.
“Are you… perhaps thinking of taking them in as crew?!”
The Vice-Captain asked as if something had occurred to her. We had obtained the parts for the ship, but even if we assembled it, it was hard to find people to man it.
“That’s right. Being a crew member will be better for them than being slaves.”
I wasn’t doing this out of some grand love for humanity. I needed to fortify this place quickly. Once the colonization of this planet is finished, a special relic appears. If used at a station, it can change the surrounding wormholes and sea routes. As a bonus, I would accept those among the surviving inhabitants who had an aptitude for the Force as crew.
It was a win-win situation for me.
“Sponsor that guy.”
“It would be better if you did it yourself, Master Pak Yu. There are limits to the standard system.”
I logged into the system. Since I had to pierce through the planet’s will, the higher a person’s Force, the more advantageous it was. My management skills were a mess, but my purity was quite high.
[Creating Constellation nickname.]
[Retrieving user’s subconscious.]
[The Tireless Rake has been created.]
“Are you kidding me?!”
‘Do I really think of myself as a rake just because everyone calls me one?’
***
Gororo was an archer. The scoring method was a bit peculiar. Points were earned by putting arrows into the opponent’s small goal. If hit by an opponent’s arrow, you were out.
— Finally!
He had worked hard since childhood. He had earned the qualification for the national team that he had dreamed of. He stood on the ground for his first match.
But then.
[Livestock, have you been peaceful lately?]
A strange voice echoed in his ear. It didn’t seem like he was the only one hearing it. His teammates on the field, the opposing players, and the audience were all reacting.
The crowd buzzed. Everyone looked around in confusion.
[The slaughter will begin now. Oh! Some of you might be able to escape the life of livestock. So, do your best!]
Towers rose in every country. One floor had to be cleared every 3 months. If they failed, 5% of the citizens would die randomly.
3 months later.
— This is a news flash. The floor clear has failed…
The screen showed a busy street. People were walking around. Then.
‘Pop!’
People’s heads exploded, killing them. The voice that had echoed in their ears three months ago was no lie.
.
.
<>
.
.
Gororo’s hunter rank was D-rank. He had struggled in the tower for seven years, but growth was not easy.
“Excuse me… Guild Leader. Can I get my settlement for this month? It’s been two months.”
“You little brat!! You should at least do one person’s share before asking for money!”
“I beg of you. My younger sister’s medicine bills are overdue.”
His sister had contracted Mana Disease. It was a disease where one would die without medication. The medicine was quite expensive.
“Judgment Day is in five days. I’ll think about it then if your sister doesn’t drop dead.”
Gororo clenched his fists. He might die in this judgment. Even though the hunters had tried, it seemed they wouldn’t be able to clear the floor.
“Actually, your sister’s face is too good to just let die. If she dates me, wouldn’t I take care of her?”
The guild leader gave a lecherous smile. For the record, he was a married man.
“That’s out of the question.”
“You’re not making sense. Tsk. Then, get out of my guild! I expected something since you were a former national archer, but how can you not even pull your own weight?”
“At least my overdue settlement…”
“Do you know how much the raid time increased because of you?! You should be paying for damages, and yet you’re asking for money? You’re a total crook.”
Guild members began to gather one by one. They pressured him with faint killing intent.
“I will report this to the Hunter Association.”
“Go ahead! We’ll countersue for sexual harassment.”
Just then, the clerk sitting at a desk burst into tears.
“Waaaah! Hunter Gororo did things to me in the pantry…!”
“I… when did I…!”
“This guy… he touched a civilian coworker?! He’s insane. Don’t try to deny it. There’s more than one witness.”
‘Thud!’
The guild members knocked Gororo down. A merciless beating followed.
“Get rid of him.”
Gororo was thrown out of the guild like trash. People passing by didn’t pay him any mind. Everyone’s life was harsh.
He trudged toward the house where his sister was. Perhaps the guild leader was right. His sister was likely to be the next target for punishment, being a non-awakened.
“Big… Brother. You’re home?!”
His sister’s skin was as pale as a sheet of paper. There was no strength in her voice. It had been a long time since she had taken her medicine. She seemed to be reaching her limit.
“Uuuugh!”
Gororo hugged his sister and wept.
“Brother… I’m okay. Don’t. Cry.”
His sister wiped away his tears. Just then.
‘Ping!’
[The Tireless Rake is watching you.]
Gororo was startled. It was a Constellation notification that only a select few received.
***
I watched the fellow. The civilization level was similar to the world I lived in before I fell into this one.
“Ugh. That’s so frustrating.”
Gororo. In the game, he was a slave who would become a highly capable Fire Control Officer. He couldn’t be used as a captain, but his marksmanship was exceptional.
“He’s hesitating. Is it because of the nickname that he’s not choosing it?”
The Vice-Captain spoke cautiously from beside me. It really was absurd. Even I recognized myself as a rake.
“We are sorry. Our clients often find it a chore to come up with nicknames, so…”
I frowned. Occasionally, there were nobles who participated in terraforming for fun. The charm was taking the livestock they raised as slaves.
“Forget it.”
I turned my gaze back to the screen.
‘There was a younger sister.’
Gororo was later released from slavery. As a skilled Fire Control Officer, he would have had the money to save his family. But he didn’t have a younger sister.
‘She must die here.’
That must be why his personality was so cynical.
“Assign a Constellation to the sister as well.”
“That’s… difficult right now. She has Mana Disease, and she’s in a weakened state because she hasn’t taken any medicine. She needs to take the medicine first.”
I scowled and shifted my gaze again.
“Hurry up and accept! Only then can I help you.”
[Gororo has chosen you as his Sponsor.]
“Good!”
I immediately manipulated the system.
[Granting the Grace of Agility to Gororo.]
[Granting the Grace of Dark Vision.]
[Creating Item: Force Bow.]
[Creating Item: Light Armor.]
[Creating Item: Winged Shoes.]
At the system’s command, the planet’s will shivered. Those miracles were made by drawing out the planet’s potential.
“Doing any more is impossible. The planet’s will might escape the system’s influence.”
The Top Ascent Company employee shouted urgently. If they lost control over the planet, it would go berserk.
“I only intended to do this much.”
I sent him a message.
[Your Sponsor, The Tireless Rake, has issued a mission.]
[Heal your younger sister.]
[Upon success, your sister will be introduced to a Sponsor.]
[Upon awakening, Mana Disease is naturally cured.]
After checking the message, Gororo’s eyes widened.
— Ah! Thank you. Thank you.
The fellow bowed toward the sky several times.
[Your Sponsor is urging you.]
[Your sister’s lifespan is running out.]
Having Mana Disease meant she also had a talent for the Force. And it was a significant level of potential.
‘I should take the sister on the ship too.’
This was a welfare measure for Gororo.
***
Gororo ran to the tower. A crowd was gathered in front of the entrance.
“Looking for a healer!”
“Recruiting a tanker.”
People were looking for party members. Most were freelancers who didn’t belong to any guild. Generally, they were low-rank. Even if they fought with their lives on the line, they didn’t earn much. Government subsidies were focused on the guilds.
“One dealer, come join us. One spot open.”
Gororo quickly turned his head.
“Hello. I’m an archer!”
“What’s your rank?”
“D-rank… it is.”
“Ha… that’s a bit disappointing. We were looking for a C-rank.”
He was rejected. After going through several teams like that…
“It’s a bit of a shame, but come in as a sub-dealer. Just deal with the enemies that approach the healer.”
Fortunately, one party accepted him.
“Then, let’s enter.”
They entered the tower. Surprisingly, the inside of the tower was a vast forest. There was a sun, and the sky was visible.
“We’ll just fill our quota and leave.”
Numbers were written on the party members’ cheeks. Their contribution was displayed based on how many enemies they defeated in the tower. Based on this, the government provided subsidies.
“Let’s go!”
The party moved forward bit by bit.
‘Clang, clang! Boom!’
The sounds of fighting could be heard here and there. Since the settlement date was close, many people were trying to fill their quotas.
“Let’s move to the left.”
They moved so as not to overlap with other parties’ routes.
“Over there! Monsters.”
The party members formed a formation and began to engage. They seemed to have worked together for a long time. However.
“Ah! Monster on the flank!”
Gororo immediately picked up his bow. It was an item given to him by the Constellation.
“You’re not loading an arrow?!”
“Yes. I’m shooting with Force.”
He pulled the bowstring toward a small monster running at him. But then.
‘Hmm?!’
He could see the flow of the world. In the past, his arrows often missed, even when there was no wind.
‘The world was full of this kind of energy.’
He now understood why his mana-infused arrows had moved strangely before.
“If it’s like this, it’s not hard.”
Gororo released the string.
‘Whoosh!’
“Where are you shooting?!”
The arrow flew in an odd direction. One dealer quickly backed off. They had to protect the healer. However. The arrow began to curve. Like a homing missile, it pierced straight into the monster.
‘Boom! Sizzle!’
Not stopping there, the monster’s entire body exploded.
“Wh… what the!! Are you… perhaps a ranker?!”
The party members’ eyes were fixed on Gororo.
“Watch out!”
While the tanker was distracted, a mid-sized monster lunged inside.
‘Ping!’
Gororo fired his bow.
‘Sizzle!’
The mid-sized monster also exploded in one shot. Everyone blinked their eyes.
“Collect the mana stones!”
Gororo immediately got the hang of it. He wasn’t a former national athlete for nothing.
‘He called himself a rake… but what is this power?’
To be honest, he hadn’t expected much because the Constellation’s name was strange. But the bow and the eyes that could see through the dark were incredible.
[The Tireless Rake is satisfied.]
Gororo wanted to repay the trust of the Constellation who had given him this opportunity.
“Let’s go! Let’s clear this floor.”
***
I leisurely watched the hunt. His party moved quickly toward the center.
“Kaaah! As expected, items are the best.”
Even so, it was no match for my crowbar. The crowbar was Relic-grade, while those were Treasure-grade. It was on par with my ring or slightly inferior in performance. And once terraforming was over, they would lose their power, except for one or two.
“It’s already a clear.”
Gororo cleared everything out by himself. He even used his shoes to fly around.
[You have cleared the corresponding floor.]
The hunters who were hunting were overjoyed. Those in the tower would receive the clear rewards. However.
“Isn’t that the guild leader?”
The Vice-Captain, who was monitoring Gororo’s sister, shouted urgently.
“That crazy bastard.”
I immediately sent a message to the fellow.
[Your Sponsor urgently points toward your house.]
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.