Chapter 53

# 53

User Manual for the Reincarnated 053

Being poor doesn't mean you're good (2)

I can roughly guess how Jang Hahyeon and I are perceived by them.

From the start, our appearance is very out of place here.

Unlike the others who haven't had a proper wash, Jang Hahyeon looks spotless, almost as if she's wearing makeup.

She's even wearing a very pretty dress.

However, we're not here to do volunteer work like they are.

In other words, we probably look like a naive young couple who just came out to see the slums out of curiosity.

In this situation, it wouldn't be surprising if a riot broke out.

Of course, the slum dwellers haven't started throwing stones at us.

In the free city of Rindel, being well-dressed means you are either very powerful, have authority, or have a lot of gold.

They are likely considering the possibility that we might be a target for their anger.

However, they are not sending us hostile glares.

‘This...’

Of course, how they look at us is none of my business.

But it's not a pleasant situation that the woman named Seon Hee-young, whom Kim Hyun-sung seems to have targeted, is glaring at us.

Jang Hahyeon also seems to realize she made a mistake and is looking at me nervously.

Eventually, Seon Hee-young starts pushing through the slum dwellers and approaches me.

I'm not sure if this is an appropriate description, but she has a church sister-like impression.

She has long hair, big eyes, and an appearance that suggests she has never experienced hardship.

Before I can think of how to resolve this situation, Seon Hee-young speaks up.

"Apologize to them."

"..."

"Retract your insults and apologize to them. No one here deserves to be insulted by you."

Even the scouts from various clans, who seem to be trying to curry favor with her, raise their voices.

The absurdity of the situation almost makes me laugh.

"Whoever you are, it would be best if you apologized."

"Please retract those insults immediately."

"Are you from the Blue Guild?"

I don't see any Red Mercenaries or other large guilds.

The others from smaller clans seem more polite than expected.

The blue emblem on my chest seems to be making them behave.

I can understand why she's saying this, but it's ridiculous that the other clan and guild members are shouting the same thing.

‘Selfish opportunist.’

‘Calculating analyst.’

These people, who look like they have never done volunteer work, are raising their voices.

The more their personalities lean towards the negative, the louder they speak.

To anyone, it's clear that they are on the side of justice, and we are the irresponsible couple.

It's a situation where the good and the bad are clearly distinguished.

‘Mistake?’

No.

It's not a mistake at all.

I don't know how long the recruitment war has been going on or how much progress Kim Hyun-sung has made with this woman, but with so many competitors, it's impossible to make a proper recruitment offer.

This situation has been going on for a while.

Somehow, it's clear in my mind.

The top priority for this woman is to help the slum dwellers.

She is so dedicated to this cause that she can't join a clan or guild and go on expeditions.

A completely new approach to dealing with this woman comes to mind instantly.

I pull Jang Hahyeon, who seems a bit deflated, closer to me and slowly speak.

"I won't retract my words."

"Y-Yes?"

"I said I won't retract my words."

"What do you mean...?"

"I don't think it's wrong to call those who do nothing and live off others 'pigs.'"

"What are you saying? You... You're from the Blue Guild."

"My affiliation and my words are unrelated. Whether I'm from Blue or not is irrelevant. This is a very personal opinion, unrelated to Blue's principles."

"There are things you can say and things you can't. You don't know anything about this place. Just because you wear nice clothes and have a good position doesn't give you the right to criticize them."

For a moment, Seon Hee-young seems to gain momentum and speaks up.

"Not everyone is here by choice. They were forced here by their circumstances. This continent is a place where a small mistake can cost you your life. Someone like you, who has received contact from a good guild and lives a comfortable life, can't understand them."

When she mentions special talents, I can't help but laugh.

However, the part about living a comfortable life makes me frown.

"Ha, that's funny."

"Excuse me?"

"I haven't been here long, but I've lived a much more intense life than those people. I'm sure everyone here has, too. The same goes for the clan members. They have risked their lives to hunt, and they have done all kinds of hard work to get to their positions. No one wants to die, and no one wants to work."

"Ah..."

"I'm the same. I've overcome several life-threatening situations to join Blue. They have never risked anything for their lives."

"That's not true. They... "

"Why?"

"..."

"Why do they end up like this?"

"What are you saying?"

"You made them this way."

She looks at me as if I'm speaking nonsense.

But if you think about it objectively, it's not wrong.

"You have tamed them. By providing them with food and clothes, you have tamed them. You have made them into losers."

"What do you know? You said you haven't been here long. You don't know the current state of the city. The slums didn't appear because of me... but because of people like you."

I don't know the details.

But I know this type of person very well.

"Ah, you mean the hardworking people."

"I'm not talking about hardworking people. People like you, who ignore and despise those below them and only care about their own interests, are the ones rotting Rindel."

It's not wrong.

But I can't just agree.

"I have never treated anyone unfairly for my own benefit. Some people might feel that way, but... I don't understand what you just said. The people you should help are not here. They are the adventurers who risk their lives on expeditions and the workers who toil in difficult places."

It's a sophistry.

Of course, it's sophistry and might sound like nonsense.

But I don't have a problem with volunteer work itself.

Personally, I respect such people.

But this woman's approach is wrong.

Personality.

‘Ideal volunteer?’

Maybe she's the type who does volunteer work for the sake of it.

"I think I understand what you're saying. You're going to say the cliché, 'Don't give them fish; teach them how to fish.' But you, who do nothing, have no right to say that. Your words lack credibility."

"I came here to take action."

"What...?"

I smile slightly and speak.

"I will hire everyone here."

"Excuse me?"

"I will hire everyone here. It won't be dangerous, but it might be hard work. Don't worry too much. Anyone who can move can do it. I will pay more than the minimum wage."

"..."

"This is an opportunity to turn things around. I can't provide housing, but I can provide lunch."

"What are you thinking?"

"It's up to you whether you want to stay here, dependent on others, or become a proud member of society. It's time to stand up, everyone."

I quietly look around.

It's quiet.

But someone gathers the courage to ask a question.

"Can you tell us what the job is?"

"Exactly what I said. It's a simple, non-dangerous job. I can promise it won't be dangerous. Think of it as manual labor."

"What about the wage...?"

"I will pay 1 gold. If there's overtime, I will provide additional compensation. The standard work hours will be 8 hours a day."

The murmurs start.

"If you don't trust me, I can invite one of you to be an advisor to our company to ensure your safety."

"I never said I would do it!"

"You should watch what I do, right?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

"It's an opportunity for you. Even those with disabilities can do it. Yes, that's right."

The idea of inviting Seon Hee-young as an advisor must have been quite decisive.

People slowly start raising their hands.

"I will do it."

"I... I will do it too."

"I... I will..."

"I will do my best if you give me the chance."

It feels good to see everyone raising their hands.

Even the incredulous looks from Seon Hee-young and the other clan members feel good.

"I will start the work tomorrow. It's a simple job, so just come by 9 AM tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

By this point, Seon Hee-young seems embarrassed by her earlier words.

But she doesn't fully trust me.

I pat Jang Hahyeon's head, who seems to be wary of Seon Hee-young, and turn to leave. She quietly approaches me and speaks slowly.

"I don't know what to say... but... thank you. However..."

"I don't understand what you're thankful for."

"Excuse me?"

"There's no need to be thankful. Anyway."

"..."

"It won't change much."

"What are you saying...?"

"I clearly said it before."

"Excuse me?"

"You tamed them."

Whether these people are really tamed by Seon Hee-young or not is not important.

Anyway.

They will think that way.