Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Leader Selection
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As the system message came to an end, the Pioneers' eyes shook violently.
My words had essentially been proven by that message.
I casually glanced around, pretending nothing was amiss.
Jealousy and envy poured in from all directions, but at the same time, a different emotion flickered in the corners of their eyes.
Fear.
The Pioneers were clearly afraid of me.
Even the faction leaders, Choi Seung-hyuk and Seo Chang-woo, were no exceptions.
No, if anything, they seemed even more tense precisely because they were more familiar with the system.
What it took to hunt monsters was pure power, after all.
Taking down a boss-level monster meant possessing power on that level.
That's right. You should be afraid. Afraid enough that you wouldn't even dream of messing with me.
A satisfied smile crept onto my lips.
Just earning jealousy without fear would inevitably lead to interference.
If someone else pulled ahead of me, it meant they'd eventually climb higher and look down on me.
Leaving them be without interference would lock in a future where I was crushed beneath them.
Anyone with ambition would grab at my ankles first, grudge or no grudge.
But if there's fear of the other party, things change.
Interference only works when both sides can trade blows.
It only works if the target avoids direct confrontation.
But once they realize the opponent holds a blade...
Once they realize they themselves are empty-handed by comparison...
They won't even think of interfering anymore.
The risk of retaliation far outweighs any potential gain.
Well, humans don't always act rationally, though.
I flicked my gaze toward Choi Seung-hyuk.
Beneath the clear fear, there was something even more sinister.
It didn't worry me much, but it might be wise to make some preparations.
Just as I finished that thought and moved to check my new rewards...
"You've all worked so hard up to this point, Pioneers."
"...!?"
A gravelly elderly voice, one I'd never heard before, echoed across the entire village.
As everyone turned their gazes, an old man in ancient bureaucratic robes bowed his head.
"The sudden collapse of civilization, unfamiliar killing, settling in an alien environment, conflicts with neighbors. I offer my respects to all of you who endured it all to reach this point."
"Wh-who are you?"
"An NPC?"
The old man smiled faintly at the confused murmurs.
"Correct. Some might desire grand titles, but I imagine 'NPC' is the term you're most familiar with."
Unlike the merchant Algrem, the old man didn't deny the label of NPC at all.
He carried himself as if it were perfectly natural.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Aaron. I am an NPC here to advise on leader selection and territory management."
"...."
"...."
No one spoke even after Aaron's introduction ended.
Pioneers and Commoners alike shared the same reaction.
The only difference was the emotions in their eyes.
Ambition burned in the Pioneers' gazes, while fear filled the Commoners'.
And rightly so—Aaron's words carried immense weight.
Leader.
Literally, one who teaches and guides others.
But no one thought of it that way now.
It was just a veneer over 'ruler' to hide the truth.
And considering World Rebuild's systems, that was likely closer to reality.
"Leader? Why are we suddenly talking about a leader?"
The voice that finally emerged trembled precariously.
It came from a Commoner, not a Pioneer.
"We can decide that ourselves, can't we? Why are you butting in...!"
"Do you intend to decide?"
Aaron replied in a chilling tone.
His attitude had completely shifted from when he'd greeted the Pioneers.
Not as extreme as Algrem's, but fundamentally the same.
He was openly discriminating between Pioneers and Commoners.
"Let me say it again. If given a deadline, do you really plan to elect a leader?"
"We're the ones who decide that! If we don't want to pick one, we won't!"
"You should elect one."
As the middle-aged man snapped in anger, Aaron smiled coldly.
"Because without a leader, the safety zone will be lifted."
"Wh-what?"
"The safety zone will be lifted. Monsters will be able to enter this place."
"...!?"
"If you're curious what that means, check your quests first. I'll explain after."
At Aaron's bombshell, people frantically opened their status windows.
I did the same to confirm, and there was the new quest from earlier.
Leader Selection
📍 Classification: Main Quest
📜 Details: The development of civilization is always built with blood and sweat. But most people pursue their own comfort, which soon leads to stagnation. Thus, a leader's existence is indispensable for progress. For civilization's reconstruction, elect a leader to guide you.
🎁 Rewards: Daily labor quests unlocked, Territory development added to shop, Tax collection enabled, Declaration of war & war functions activated
⚠️ Other: If leader position vacant for one week, safety zone released
The rewards were the most generous of any quest so far.
Though most felt dubious as actual rewards.
"This is ridiculous!"
"What kind of rewards are these?!"
Several Commoners shouted, sharing my thoughts.
Aaron tilted his head at their reactions.
"Dissatisfied with the rewards?"
"Dissatisfied? None of it's a real reward! What's 'labor'? And war? Tax collection sounds like punishment!"
"Territory development doesn't help us anyway! We can't even buy food now— what's land good for?!"
"Not picking a leader means feeding us to monsters? You're threatening us! Are you messing around!?"
"Heh. Well, well."
Aaron let out a dry chuckle at their fierce backlash.
His demeanor seemed troubled, but his eyes gleamed with deep contempt.
"Everyone, these are truly rewards. You just haven't realized it."
"So where's the reward part?!"
"If you truly don't understand, allow me to explain."
Aaron raised a finger like he was teaching immature children.
"First, the labor quests involve no combat whatsoever. Simply performing labor earns you Magic Stones as rewards. In other words, a way to make money."
"...!"
At that, some people's eyes changed.
There had been nothing to do outside of combat anyway.
Non-Pioneers had spent their time trembling in anxiety.
Earning Magic Stones without fighting? Tempting, even if it required labor.
"Of course, less than combat yields, but safety makes it worthwhile."
"We still have to do quests, right?"
"Did you plan to get Magic Stones for doing nothing?"
"...."
The middle-aged man shut his mouth, unable to retort.
Less from conscience, more from the Pioneers' stares.
"Next, territory development isn't just about land. Sure, expanding or fertilizing it is possible, but the main purpose is adding facilities."
"Adding facilities?"
"Yes. From simple road maintenance to pools or even hospitals for treatment."
"...!"
"Of course, there's a cost. Even if unlocked, you won't do much right away."
Crucially, only the leader could access territory development.
Not even Pioneers could enter that menu.
Without a leader, development was impossible.
"So if you want new facilities, elect a leader. Without one, nothing changes."
"Fine, up to here, we get it."
This time, Seo Chang-woo spoke up.
A Pioneer, yet he stepped forward as if representing all Commoners.
"No need to explain tax collection. The leader sets a rate, it's auto-deducted, and reinvested into development, right?"
"Precisely. As expected of a Pioneer unafraid of risk."
Aaron smiled far more warmly than with the Commoners.
Seo Chang-woo didn't soften his icy expression.
"Then what about war and declaration of war? What do they mean, and why are they rewards?"
Aaron blinked blankly at Seo Chang-woo's serious question.
As if he couldn't comprehend.
"What do they mean? Victory brings spoils as the winner, so naturally a reward."
"Spoils?"
"Yes, spoils. Enemy gear and Magic Stones go without saying—homes, facilities, safe territory, all go to the victor. And that's not all."
Aaron flashed his warmest smile yet.
"You get hordes of slaves all at once, too."