Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Commoner Troubles
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Yoo Ha-eun spilled the details about the situation in her territory.
From the first day of the apocalypse up until the dimensional shift, things hadn't been much different from our side.
The Pioneers had awkwardly formed teams to rescue people, and once the rescues were complete, the entire territory had shifted to this world.
Then the merchant NPC Algrem had popped up to explain how to use the shop.
"Hold on, Algrem? The merchant over there is named Algrem too?"
"That's right. Even the advisor's name is the same—Aaron."
"Are they the same person? What do the two look like?"
"Algrem looks like a plump uncle type, and Aaron resembles an old professor."
I tossed out a few more questions just in case, but the answers didn't change.
She even said their outfits and speech patterns were identical to our side's NPCs.
Could they be the exact same entities, just in different locations?
I couldn't help but let out a hollow laugh, but in a world like this, it didn't seem impossible.
"Algrem blatantly discriminated between Pioneers and Commoners. He treated Pioneers like VIP customers and Commoners like beggars."
"Same here. He'd bow so low his forehead nearly scraped the ground for Pioneers, but when a Commoner showed up, it was like he was ready to spit on them."
Apparently, Yoon Ho-chan's family left all shop visits to him whenever they needed something.
Any other family member who went would just get cold stares and mocking informal speech.
But in front of Yoon Ho-chan, the Pioneer, he'd grovel with the friendliest smile imaginable.
It seemed Yoo Ha-eun's territory was in a similar mess.
"You said the Commoners in your territory just took that treatment without doing anything about it? Things were different here."
"Different? How so?"
"They decided to take action. They said they had to fight for their rights."
"Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean they're saying they'll become Pioneers and go hunting?"
"No."
A hint of contempt flickered in Yoo Ha-eun's eyes.
It wasn't aimed at Pioneers—it was toward the Commoners.
"They said no one should be discriminated against just for not hunting. And that those who earned more than others naturally had a duty to give back."
"...So they demanded to be supported for free."
"To be precise, they said they needed care until they could grasp the situation and act properly. But to me, it sounded the same."
She added that they also claimed since Pioneers had brought them here, the Pioneers should take responsibility.
Naturally, the Pioneers pushed back.
In a situation where they had to compete even among themselves, how could they have spare resources to look after others?
They basically said, "Here's some potatoes and water—figure out the rest yourselves."
The Commoners flew into a rage at those words and swarmed forward, shouting.
They threatened that if the Pioneers tried to shirk responsibility, they wouldn't stay quiet.
"What? If they won't stay quiet, what are they gonna do? Start a fight?"
"It would've been far better if they had fought. They wouldn't have even been able to complain to the Pioneers then."
Yoo Ha-eun let out a deep sigh and rubbed her forehead.
As if just thinking about it gave her a headache even now.
"But combat is impossible inside the safe zone, right? The Commoners exploited that fact thoroughly."
"Exploited how? What did they do?"
"Dozens of them would cling to the shop entrance or link arms to surround Pioneers in multiple layers. Of course, to get through, you'd have to shove them hard or pry them off..."
I could guess what came next without her saying it.
Once it caused pain, the system would classify it as combat and block it.
A few people causing trouble might be manageable, but with dozens sealing off every gap, there was no way through.
"Unbelievable."
It was so absurd I was at a loss for words.
Sure, it was technically possible, but for dozens to do it together—not just one or two?
There must've been agitators, but it meant even more shared that mindset.
"They pulled that crap for a whole week? Didn't they get tired?"
"The problem was there were way too many Commoners. They were sharing houses with people who weren't even family, so complaints were rampant. Unless Pioneers bought them new houses, they had to face each other every day, and the resentment never died down."
"How many were there exactly?"
"About two hundred."
"...!"
The number far exceeded my expectations, leaving my jaw on the floor.
The rescue quest had run all night, so theoretically possible.
But how the hell did they bring that many?
Even our safe zone, which went pretty smoothly, hit exactly the hundred required for transfer.
Two hundred pure Commoners, excluding Pioneers?
Even accounting for spare housing, it was excessive.
"A lot of the rescued people already knew each other. Apartment residents' associations, hiking clubs, that sort of thing."
Ah, so they came in packs like linked dried mackerel with each rescue.
That made sense.
Their good teamwork probably came from knowing each other too.
No one wants to be the odd one out when all their acquaintances act together.
"Of course, not everyone was like that. Some argued for becoming Pioneers themselves instead of relying on others."
As she said this, Yoo Ha-eun glanced at her companions.
Her look made it obvious.
They were the type who wanted to become Pioneers on their own.
'No wonder their levels are noticeably low.'
Most were late starters, which explained the low levels.
Yoo Ha-eun must've held back her own leveling to look after them.
But they were exceptions among exceptions.
Most used their numbers to keep up the protests nonstop.
"The real issue was that it actually worked. Pioneers needed to level up and use the shop, but with the blockades, they had no choice. Eventually, they were begging to hand over magic stones just to pass."
And as the Pioneers yielded, the Commoners grew even more arrogant.
Later, they demanded not just some stones, but all of them.
The Pioneers' anger boiled over to the brim.
They were on the verge of exploding at the slightest spark.
And that's when the leader election began.
When they first elected a leader, the Commoners were triumphant.
With majority vote, they could just pick one of their own.
But they panicked at the following restrictions.
-The leader must be at least level 5.
-W-wait! That means only Pioneers can be leader?
-Correct.
-That's not fair!
-We were never interested in fairness to begin with.
They poured out frantic protests, but Aaron just snorted dismissively.
Realizing complaints wouldn't work, the Commoners huddled for a meeting.
The best option was for one of them to level up now.
But that was impossible to even attempt.
-Going hunting? Outside the safe zone?
-Who's volunteering? Come on out! We'll help!
The Pioneers, fed up from all they'd endured, ground their teeth waiting for takers.
No Commoner was clueless enough to think they'd survive stepping out.
The second option: refuse the election and hold out.
But if the safe zone vanished, they'd be defenseless.
Left with no choice, they went for the third path.
-Hand it to the pushover!
A Pioneer over level 5 but with low status.
One in a faction somewhat distant from the main Pioneer groups.
And someone who seemed too spineless for murder.
That was Jin Jong-su.
"So that guy is your leader now?"
"No. He was elected by vote but immediately passed it on."
Their plan worked to an extent.
Jin Jong-su got the leader position but didn't dare wield it.
He feared other Pioneers resenting his decisions.
As a result, he made a simple, irresponsible choice.
-C-can the leader position be transferred to someone else?
-If you wish, anytime.
-Then I'm passing it now! He's the leader!
The new leader was the head of the largest Pioneer faction.
Unfortunately, that faction hated Commoners the most.
The Commoners froze, and the new leader immediately disabled the violence prevention.
In the now violence-enabled safe zone, the leader shouted.
-Beat them all down.
And hell unfolded.
Our long stories had ended.
Even knowing each other's situations, Yoo Ha-eun and I fell silent for a while.
The reason we'd shared so openly was the same for both.
We were leaving the door open to potentially switch territories if needed.
Both had some dissatisfaction with our homes.
'But it seems tough.'
I wasn't the only one thinking that.
To Yoo Ha-eun, my territory had issues too.
The Commoners hadn't crossed the line like hers had, but that just meant it could happen anytime.
They hadn't truly suffered at Pioneers' hands, so fear was low.
To Yoo Ha-eun, who'd been hounded by Commoners, it felt uncomfortable.
'And I'm the same. My territory isn't perfect, but hers is a total mess.'
On the flip side, her territory had Pioneers crushing Commoners completely.
The power structure was fine, but Pioneers going way overboard was the problem.
She said even some Pioneers winced at how they treated Commoners.
But suggesting to ease up after sufficient revenge was hard.
They'd get branded enemies among Pioneers.
Lately, subtle tensions were rising even among Pioneers.
'One side has Commoners groveling to Pioneers, the other is tense like walking on thin ice.
Tricky choice.'
This needed some thought.
I didn't want to leave one bed only to find no pillow in the next.
Yoo Ha-eun wore a wry smile, thinking the same.
"Anyway, thank you so much for today. Without your help, we'd all be dead."
"Gotta help each other in this harsh world. I don't have many people I know anyway."
We exchanged pleasantries, but my mind raced.
Still, parting like this felt wasteful.
Finally connecting with another territory and Pioneers.
I decided to go for it.
"Since we're here, want us to help with some hunting? I'm getting bored of sweeping up Gnolls anyway."
"...!"
Yoo Ha-eun's eyes widened, but only briefly.
She nodded with a bright smile.
"Really? That'd be amazing!"
"Then come here at noon tomorrow. Wait, Gnolls are risky—should I come to you?"
"The forest entrance to our safe zone is nearby. I'll tell you where."
On the surface, it was pure friendly chatter.
But the real meaning: meet leisurely to plan properly.
Yoo Ha-eun got it and played along innocently.
To others, it'd look like simple goodwill.
We parted with smiles to the end.
But the moment I turned, my smile vanished.
'Gotta check the territory vibe again when I get back.'
A new variable and options had shaken the stagnant situation.
What was best for me and my companions?
I needed to solidify my side's situation before deciding.
With that in mind, shortly after returning to the safe zone...
"...Jong-min, no interest in the leader position?"
Seo Chang-woo approached me, looking exhausted.