Chapter 54

# 54

Reincarnation User Manual Chapter 54

Being Poor Doesn’t Make You Good (3)

"What are you thinking about?"

"I’m not thinking about anything in particular. Honestly, I just want to show you that I’m right."

"You seem to have a lot of money. To the point where you can hire all these people just for that reason…."

A laugh escaped me involuntarily.

'Money... what a joke.'

Honestly, hiring all these people at once is obviously problematic.

I’m already short on catalysts for my alchemy.

I’m not exactly swimming in gold, but they’re not entirely useless.

This is a chance to conduct clinical trials at a very low cost and an opportunity to shatter the thoughts of a woman named Seon Hee-yeong.

In many ways, it’s a profitable deal.

The reason I need to shatter her useless thoughts is simple.

I thought it would be a means to recruit her.

‘Three years since I came here. She started being called the Saint of the Forsaken two years ago. She began with the temple and has been dedicated to volunteer work ever since. She has been rejecting offers from large guilds and medium to small clans for two years.’

That’s her impressive background.

What stands out is her decision to join the temple despite having the opportunity to follow an elite path like mine.

The reason she rejected contact from clans and guilds is very simple.

Why?

Because the Saint of the Forsaken believed she had a massive mission to save the poor.

She has been rejecting offers from guilds and clans for two whole years.

I’m sure she received offers I can’t even imagine.

Of course, those offers might have included genuine efforts to help the poor.

Still, if she rejected them, the reason is obvious.

She believes she must act herself.

I don’t know why she cares about these people.

Honestly, I don’t want to know, nor do I need to.

What’s important right now is to shift her priorities away from them.

In other words, the first task was to separate her from the poor.

Looking ahead, I saw people working quite diligently.

A few of them were showing a lot of enthusiasm.

I even wondered if my plan might fail, but I didn’t worry too much about it.

"There are still people in the slums who haven’t found work… Aren’t you going to see them?"

"I need to keep an eye on what you’re doing. I’ll go when the time is right, even if you don’t say anything."

"What exactly are you doing? It’s just simple labor, moving rocks. It might be a bit hot and the sun might be intense, but for them, it’s a valuable sweat they haven’t felt in a long time. Seeing these people appreciate the true value of labor, I feel like moving rocks myself."

"It sounds like you’re mocking them."

"You’re mistaken."

Of course, she doesn’t look at me favorably.

If I were her, I wouldn’t like me either. After all, I’ve directly negated her values.

But it’s not a bad situation.

Approaching her in a completely different way from others who have approached her before is effective in leaving an impression.

"What do you mean by saying you’ve tamed them?"

"Exactly what I said. They’re not incapable of working; they just don’t want to."

"It doesn’t look like you can see the people working right now."

"I see them very clearly. But do you know something?"

"What…?"

"There are plenty of jobs like this in the Free City of Lindel."

‘It’s a bit risky, though.’

"Of course, working with me has slightly better conditions, but similar jobs are plentiful. The eastern area is being redeveloped, and the Red Mercenary Guild is looking for laborers for the new mage tower. Not to mention, there’s a large-scale construction project near the tutorial area. They probably know about it to some extent."

"…"

"Yesterday, I did boost their work enthusiasm a bit. They might want to prove they’re not pigs. They might also want to show a different side to the Saint of the Forsaken who is watching them. Right? They definitely will."

"Such…"

"They’ve been incited. They probably don’t even realize they’ve been incited. I led them in a positive direction, not a negative one. But even so, this won’t last long."

"What…?"

"Human nature doesn’t change that easily. They’re enthusiastic now, and I can see it. I can see the positive energy they have. But it won’t last more than a month. They’ll miss the time they spent lounging in the slums. They’ll miss the sanctuary you provide. No one wants to suffer the pain of being out of breath."

"I understand what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. People can change."

"Then what about the theory that the Saint of the Forsaken has changed them? She’s turned ordinary people into beasts that only consume."

"You!"

‘Maybe I went too far.’

Seon Hee-yeong, trembling, came into view.

She looks like she wants to slap me, biting her lip.

Even her large eyes are filled with tears.

I thought about whether I pushed the innocent lady too hard, but I believed this level of provocation was necessary. She must be harboring doubts, even if she believes my words are wrong.

‘What if what that man said is true?’

Even a small doubt can destroy a woman who finds value in serving others.

The Saint of the Forsaken seemed very fragile.

"You won’t get your way. Thinking these people will move according to your thoughts is arrogance and bias. The world doesn’t revolve around your thoughts."

"Maybe."

"Even if it does… From what I see, they are far more valuable than you."

"Do you have any basis for that?"

"It’s obvious without needing a reason."

"…Have you heard of the underdog effect?"

"…"

"It’s a basic error of distinguishing good from evil based on power. Saint of the Forsaken."

"…"

"Being poor doesn’t make you good."

"…"

"Perhaps they seem simple and good in front of you. They’ll surely act as victims of the system in front of you. But they are also perpetrators somewhere. The slums are not a heaven of angels. It’s a society, just like where we live. A society filled with all sorts of dirty and unbelievable things."

"Society is not like you think…"

"It’s corrupt. Where there are people, there is conflict. If you don’t believe me, I recommend a small experiment."

"What…?"

"Try becoming a slum dweller yourself. Not as a savior, but as a slum dweller. You’ll feel something. A week? No, even a day will be enough."

"That’s not possible…"

"I know what you’re worried about. You’re worried about the people who might starve without you. But one day won’t hurt. You have wonderful friends who follow you in your volunteer work, don’t you?"

‘They won’t show up without you, though.’

Of course, without the Saint, those friends have no reason to visit the slums.

I smiled and spoke again.

"Or are you not confident?"

"No, I’m not…"

"I’ll prepare it for you. Think of it as a slum experience."

"You’re really… disgusting."

"If you’re confident, just say yes."

"Confidence isn’t the issue. They’re not animals in a zoo. You!"

"Will you accept? Or will you refuse? If our Saint accepts, I might be moved by her spirit and want to volunteer. It’s an opportunity to help the needy. It’s the right thing to do."

"You’ll regret it."

"Maybe, but I think you will."

She turned and walked away, her back stiff, her lips tightly pressed.

‘Too naive…’

Maintaining such naivety after coming to this world from Earth is, in a way, a blessing.

She’ll try to prove her thoughts are right, but thinking about the hardships she’ll face, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Turning my head, I saw people working diligently.

They were pouring their hearts into the meaningless task of moving rocks.

"Hey! Over there!"

"This one seems impossible…"

"We can do it if we all gather."

"Yes."

"Hey, Kim! Hurry up!"

"I’ll finish this and come!"

‘Heartwarming.’

As Seon Hee-yeong disappeared from view, Jung Hae-yeon ran over.

She looked a bit anxious, but she seemed to relax when I hugged her.

Looking at the notebook in her hand, it seemed she had done her assigned task diligently.

"Brother."

"Did you do well?"

"Yes."

"Shall we check it out?"

"Yes! Well, that is…"

"Okay."

"Subject 13 seems a bit listless. 25 seems angry… 7 and 8 seem to be working hard."

"I heard some commotion from a bit inside earlier."

"It was 56 and 75. There seemed to be some issues while working… I didn’t get a good look… I’m sorry."

"No, it’s enough that you noticed there was a problem. How about 38?"

"Oh, 38 seems to be moving a bit lazily… and seems to be taking breaks in hidden spots. And… he said he wanted to quit. 93 and 95 agreed with him."

"Ah, I see. Good results."

"Yes."

"Good job, Hae-yeon. This is a thank you gift."

"O… Brother."

"And just in case… Is it possible to change someone’s appearance with magic?"

"That’s…"

"Just a slight change with mana. Like an illusion spell. Is it difficult?"

"Ah! That should be possible. But why…?"

Well,

"To show the sheltered princess how dirty the real world is."

Jung Hae-yeon’s bright smile came into view.

"Yes, that’s right."