Level 4 Human in a Ruined World

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 264: Honest Tax Payment (1)

National Tax Service.

Here, the ‘national’ refers to the nation.

In other words, it means the organization that manages the nation’s taxes.

So, if the person here in Shandong Province really was an employee of the National Tax Service…

‘Does that mean there are nations in space too? Isn’t that a bit nonsensical?’

Of course, it wasn’t strange since there was a tax-collecting authority, official documents, and a world where forgery could land you in prison.

However, the idea that Earth is part of some nation in space?

That was hard to grasp.

As far as Yeongwoo knew, Earth had existed as an independent planet until now.

‘Is everything messed up because of that reset? Why do things keep coming in from outside?’

Yeongwoo took out the ‘Fearful Cat’ to determine the entity’s position.

But the cat remained calm, eyes closed, pointing nowhere.

It meant there were no threats nearby.

“Where is this so-called National Tax Service employee?”

So, when Yeongwoo asked directly, Zhang Jaham led the way.

“This way, please. We’ve brought him to the office building.”

“Let’s hurry. I need to wrap this up quickly and head back.”

He really wanted to ignore any intergalactic official business and just rest.

But it was about taxes, after all.

If you valued your life, tax payment was one thing you couldn’t delay in this universe.

‘These crazy people, coming all the way here when I’m busy. They could’ve just sent a notice.’

Grumbling to himself, Yeongwoo followed Zhang Jaham to Yantai City Hall.

As they walked, he instructed Wu Qingjin to bring the money.

“Ten million karma.”

“…What?”

“Bring the money. I was supposed to receive twenty million in Shandong, right? So I’ll return the remaining ten million.”

“What?”

Wu Qingjin’s jaw dropped at Yeongwoo’s words.

Then,

Whack!

As always, he fell to his knees and fist saluted on the ground.

“Great Hero…!”

Seeing this, Yeongwoo quickly stopped Zhang Jaham from kneeling too.

“We don’t have time, so just guide us.”

Then he told the Golden Goblin to fetch the bag with ten million karma.

“Take it to him and ensure it’s exactly ten million.”

-Kikit!

Following Yeongwoo’s order, the Golden Goblin opened the pocket of its interdimensional pouch.

Meanwhile, Yeongwoo and Zhang Jaham arrived at the front of Yantai City Hall.

“Is it in here?”

“Yes, a special room on the first floor of the office building. He should be waiting there.”

Even in this situation, Zhang Jaham couldn’t figure out who was more formidable, the National Tax Service employee or Yeongwoo.

In truth, Yeongwoo himself wasn’t sure either.

‘I haven’t defaulted on my taxes, so what do I have to fear?’

In a place like this universe, where a chairman who killed a high-ranking official could roam freely, Yeongwoo saw no need to bow to an official.

He thought it would be enough to show a basic level of courtesy that didn’t interfere with official duties.

“Here we are.”

Finally, Zhang Jaham stopped before a large door with gold trim.

“Yes, let’s meet them.”

Yeongwoo checked that the half-mask on his waist was secure, then pushed open the door to the private room.

Whaaack!

The first thing that came into view was a wall adorned with a red five-star flag, and in front of it, three large leather sofas arranged in a U-shape around a large table.

And the National Tax Service employee in question was…

-Uhm.

Sitting on the sofa directly facing the entrance, examining a teacup with unnervingly long fingers.

‘…An alien.’

As expected, the so-called National Tax Service employee who had come to meet Jeong Yeongwoo07 was not human.

Though about the same height as Yeongwoo at around 2 meters, each arm was at least 1.5 meters long.

Because his arms were so long, he had to bend his elbows excessively to hold the teacup, making his awkward posture even more bizarre, emphasizing his alien nature.

-You’ve arrived. I haven’t been waiting long.

The alien spoke quite humanly.

Not only the tone but also the face somewhat resembled a human’s.

The long, pale face had eyes, nose, and mouth in familiar positions.

However, there was no bridge of the nose, just two nostrils in flat skin, and the eyes lacked whites, filled with black pupils.

His legs, wrapped in black cloth, looked too thin to have muscles, and the same went for his arms, but his torso was an oddly thick inverted triangle.

Of course, this was obscured by what looked like a black suit, so what lay beneath was unknown.

Although he looked more like a Grim Reaper than a tax officer, the difference between the two in this universe wasn’t significant.

“I heard you were looking for me?”

Yeongwoo said as he crossed the threshold of the private room.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jaham couldn’t bring himself to step inside and stood at the door, curious about the interaction but only peeking in.

Finally,

Thump.

Yeongwoo sat on the sofa.

As he did, the “Cosmic Etiquette” draped over his shoulder clanked loudly, asserting its presence.

Squeak!

「Cosmic Etiquette」 - ◇ Dogo Dimensional Weapon

【20% increased damage against government officials】

【20% resistance to special abilities】

【Dogo】

Cosmic Etiquette.

A new product from the universal weapon brand Dogo, and a sort of status symbol.

‘Oh, right. This is our new product.’

Yeongwoo realized he had “Cosmic Etiquette” on his shoulder.

Unintentionally, he was now meeting a tax officer with equipment designed for assaulting officials.

‘…Well, this turned into an advertisement.’

As Yeongwoo subtly glanced up at the ceiling, or somewhat beyond, the official placed the teacup down on the table.

Clink.

Then, inserting two long fingers into his pocket, he pulled out a black metal card, the size of a business card.

“To clarify, I haven’t come here today due to any unfortunate circumstances.”

The alien official preemptively reassured him.

It seemed he knew well about “Cosmic Etiquette’s” notorious reputation.

After all, the cloak itself was a dimensional weapon, deeply engraved with the Dogo company’s signature.

Therefore, it was evident to anyone that the Earthling in front of them was associated with Dogo.

“Aha… So, what brings you here? I’ve been paying my taxes diligently.”

Given how hard he worked to secure the acquisition tax for the Bastard sword just a few hours ago, Yeongwoo was tempted to draw it immediately.

Wasn’t it time to feel the satisfaction of paying a hefty tax?

But.

- Ah, well….

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Seeing the intimidating official shrink before “Cosmic Etiquette,” Yeongwoo’s rough resolve softened.

After all, it was not usually the field workers’ fault.

Thud.

The official finally placed his black business card in front of Yeongwoo.

- I am Jiazol, an 86th-level official in charge of registry work at the Temporary Bureau of the National Tax Service.

“…Excuse me? What did you say?”

Yeongwoo was surprised, not because of anything else, but because the tragic official in front of him was 86th-level.

How could there be an 86th level in the universe’s bureaucratic system?

- For details, please refer to this.

As Jiazol pointed to his business card, Yeongwoo looked at it.

Though nothing was written on the card, as soon as he saw it, a series of meanings unfolded in Yeongwoo’s mind.

Flaash!

[Jiazol1182] - 86th Level

| Temporary Bureau 060II42

| National Tax Service Registry Officer

“We always appreciate your valuable taxes.”

*Verbal and physical abuse of officials is immediately prosecutable. Please refrain from such actions.

“…Oh, this is.”

When Yeongwoo saw the card, he realized the official was genuine.

The black metal contained transcendent letters certifying an official public institution.

Moreover, the “National” in Jiazol’s National Tax Service wasn’t the “nation,” but “bureau,” used to denote specific departments within large organizations.

‘So, the taxes don’t go directly to a central agency; there’s another intermediary institution?’

The entity collecting Earth’s taxes wasn’t the central government but a subordinate agency.

‘Goodness.’

Yeongwoo was awed by the scale of the bureaucratic structure he couldn’t even fathom.

At the same time, he had one question.

According to Jiazol’s card, the Temporary Bureau 060II42 overseeing him managed a temporary administrative district.

In other words, Earth’s jurisdiction was not yet determined.

‘So when will the jurisdiction be decided? Can we choose where we belong?’

Since the card didn’t provide an answer, Yeongwoo had to ask Jiazol.

“What’s all this? Why are you collecting taxes from a planet without an assigned jurisdiction? You haven’t done anything for us.”

At this, Jiazol’s already large eyes widened further, and he spread his long, spider-like fingers in a calming gesture.

- Refrain from verbal and physical abuse of officials…!

“Dammit, I’m not going to hit you!”

It seemed that Jiazol had misunderstood because the Earthling in front of him was wearing the latest Dogo dimensional weapon.

“Look! It’s already a headache with just the reset, why do you keep collecting taxes and stuff? We’re still in the middle of a civil war!”

Woosh!

Yeongwoo unconsciously stood up, towering over Jiazol.

Zhang Jaham, who was watching the conversation from outside the door, frantically waved his hands.

“S-sir! Calm down!”

He didn’t want Shandong Province to become the site of the first alien official murder.

Likewise, Jiazol, an 86th-level official, didn’t want to die in this remote place, so he shouted with all his might.

- The reason I came here is...!

“…!”

Yeongwoo, startled by the near-scream, backed off a bit, and Zhang Jaham, his heart pounding, waited for the alien official’s next words.

Then,

Swoosh.

Jiazol straightened his clothes and spoke in a more serious tone.

- I deliver this message on behalf of the Director of the Temporary Bureau 060II42 of the National Tax Service.

- You, ‘49523’ Jeong Yeongwoo07, are now obligated to be a diligent taxpayer.

“…What?”

What was a “diligent taxpayer obligation,” if not just a diligent taxpayer?

Fortunately, this mystery was soon resolved.

- This means you have become a major inspection target for the National Tax Service due to a recent excessive increase in income, and your cumulative tax payments within your planet have significantly increased.

‘Of course, the acquisition tax for the Bastard sword and the catalog...’

As Yeongwoo nodded to himself, Jiazol continued gauging his reaction.

- Our recent inspection of your sources of income revealed numerous non-standard, non-universal earnings.

This likely referred to the tributes he received in China.

That’s why Jiazol waited in Shandong Province instead of coming to Seoul.

“…So?”

Yeongwoo began to realize.

The Director of the National Tax Service had sent Jiazol as a proxy to protect his own neck.

Although verbal and physical abuse of officials is immediately prosecutable, it’s not impossible if one has the capability.

Just as the Chairman had done.

‘That cowardly bastard.’

While Yeongwoo cursed the Director he had never met, the unfortunate Jiazol continued the rest of his superior’s message.

- Therefore, the head office intends to classify your non-standard income as business income and impose additional taxes according to regulations.

In other words, he was making a lot of money on Earth, so he had to pay more taxes.

‘How strong is the Director? Even if he’s a frontier institution head, he probably isn’t a top-level entity.’

Yeongwoo stared at the ceiling of the private room, which had a different meaning this time.

Meanwhile, Jiazol delivered the final piece of the message.

- Your planet is currently in an unclassified, neutral state. Cumulative tax payments will determine future planetary shares.

“What?”

The content made his eyes and ears perk up.

Even Zhang Jaham, standing outside the door, was shocked and doubted his ears.

“Mr. Jeong? Did you hear that?”

“I heard it! Wait a minute. Mr. Jiazol, what exactly do you mean? Planetary shares will be allocated based on tax payments?”

When Yeongwoo asked for confirmation, Jiazol clasped his hands together politely.

- That is correct. However, only those obligated to be diligent taxpayers are eligible for shares under internal regulations.

“Aha.”

Yeongwoo’s mind raced.

This was why the Director had bothered to send a proxy to stress the importance of proper tax payment.

They needed to accurately identify who would become the shareholders of this planet in the future, ensuring no tax evasion and diligent reporting.

“So, how many diligent taxpayer obligors are there? I mean, the candidates for shareholders.”

When Yeongwoo asked, Jiazol closed his eyes.

- According to internal regulations, I cannot disclose that information.

This meant he couldn’t even know how many people would share Earth’s ownership.

So, Yeongwoo changed his question slightly.

“Then, if only one diligent taxpayer obligor remains when the shares are distributed? Does that person get all the shares?”

Realizing Yeongwoo’s intent, Jiazol’s mouth gaped open.

- Theoretically, yes.

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]