Chapter 27

It was the look of a man forced to say something he hated.

“I despise this term… but for the sake of clarity, let’s go with this: I am an NPC.”

“…What!?”

The survivors’ eyes widened in shock.

NPC : Non-Playable Character.

A term straight out of a game.

An NPC.

Not a player, but a character designed for the players’ convenience.

In other words—someone deeply connected to the system itself.

“Exactly right!” Algrim beamed. “However, I hate the word NPC. I’d prefer if you call me by name. Or, if you must, ‘merchant’ or ‘money-grubber’ will do just fine!”

Hearing that, Justin let out a short laugh.

Just how much does he hate being called an NPC?

A few survivors shifted uncomfortably.

Then, one man stepped forward.

“Alright, ‘merchant.’ I’ve got questions.”

“But of course! What would you like to know?”

Algrim’s expression remained unchanged, despite being called ‘merchant’ outright.

He truly didn’t seem to care what he was called—so long as it wasn’t an NPC.

“Then tell me—what the hell is going on here? What’s with this status window? The quests? Who the hell is sending these system messages?”

The questions everyone had been waiting for.

For the first time, Algrim hesitated.

Scratching his cheek, he let out an awkward chuckle.

“Ah… I’m terribly sorry, but I can’t answer that.”

“…What?”

“Are you kidding me?!”

“Whoa, whoa—let’s calm down, shall we?”

Raising his hands in mock surrender, Algrim gave a sheepish grin.

“I assure you, I’m not messing with you. I’m not even hiding anything.”

He gestured to his neck, running his fingers along the skin in a slow, deliberate motion.

Almost as if… stroking an invisible collar.

“I am restricted. There are limits to what I can tell you. Anything beyond those limits? I physically cannot say it.”

“…What, do you have a bomb in your throat or something?”

“Nothing quite so dramatic. But the moment I try to speak about such matters, my tongue refuses to move. Even if I tried to hint at it another way, it wouldn’t work.”

Despite the mocking tone of the question, Algrim simply shrugged, unfazed.

His expression seemed to say, “Get mad if you want, it won’t change anything.”

“The role I was given is simple—I am a merchant,” he continued. “I can buy, sell, and explain how to use items. But anything outside of that?”

He shook his head.

“I simply cannot answer.”

The crowd processed his words.

Then, one man let out a frustrated sigh.

“So basically, you can’t explain what’s happening. You’re just here to open a shop menu for us, like in a game?”

“Exactly!”

“…Son of a bitch.”

A survivor gritted his teeth in frustration.

But that was all he could do.

Fighting wasn’t an option.

Within the safe zone, combat was restricted.

If someone tried to attack, the system itself would intervene.

Lashing out at Algrim would accomplish nothing—except embarrass the attacker.

Just then, another voice cut through the tension.

It came from one of the rescued survivors—a man Justin had saved the previous night.

“You said you’re a merchant… So what exactly are you selling?”

“Now, that is an excellent question!”

Algrim’s face lit up with excitement—

But then, he suddenly froze.

His gaze snapped to the man who had spoken.

And in an instant, his expression twisted into pure disgust.

“…What the hell? You’re not a Pioneer. You’re just some lowly commoner.”

“…What?”

“Why are you even talking to me? My wares have nothing to do with trash like you. Now get lost! Shoo!”

Then, he spat on the ground, glaring at the man with utter contempt.

The entire crowd stiffened.

The friendly, talkative merchant was gone.

What stood before them now was a different Algrim.

His tone dripped with disdain.

His words oozed arrogance.

The sudden shift in personality left the survivors speechless.

Breaking the silence, Justin took a step forward.

“Algrim.”

Instantly, the merchant’s face snapped toward him.

“Ah! Pioneer-nim! What can I do for you?”

Gone was the disgusted scowl.

In its place was a groveling smile—his hands rubbing together in eager servitude.

Justin narrowed his eyes.

‘As expected.’

Just from this reaction, he had already figured it out.

But to make sure, he asked out loud—

Not for himself, but for everyone else.

“You call some people Pioneers, and others commoners. What exactly determines the difference?”

“Ah! What a fine question!”

With obnoxious enthusiasm, Algrim pounded his chest.

“Pioneers are those who fight without hesitation! Those who take action and forge the path forward!”

He sneered.

“And commoners? Those leeches who sit back, doing nothing, waiting for others to save them! Scum unworthy of respect!”

“…!”

“But of course, there is a simple way to identify them—”

Algrim’s eyes gleamed.

“Their levels.”

A heavy silence fell over the crowd.

But Algrim wasn’t done.

“Oh! And let’s not forget about the Curse of Sloth!”

His voice was mocking now—loud enough for everyone to hear.

“A curse reserved for the lowest of the low! The vermin among commoners! The ones who sat back while others fought and earned their place!”

Gasps.

Whispers.

The crowd stiffened.

They all understood exactly what he meant.

And in that moment—

Some people instinctively took a step back—

Away from those who had never fought.

The divide had begun.

“As expected.”

While the crowd stood frozen, Justin quietly nodded to himself.

He had suspected it, but now it was confirmed.

The people here were real.

They weren’t game characters, and they weren’t system-generated NPCs.

Which meant—

“The system has no intention of making everyone a player.”
“It also won’t supplement the population from anywhere else.”

There was only one logical conclusion.

The people who already existed would be divided—leaders and subjects.

• Those who adapted to the system, who actively took on challenges, would become rulers.
• Those who avoided danger, seeking only protection, would become subordinates.

“I figured this divide would form eventually…”
“But I didn’t expect the system to actively enforce it.”

He glanced at the crowd.

The reactions were extreme.

• The Pioneers, those who had engaged with the system, looked shocked but not displeased.
• The Commoners, those who had been protected, looked as if they had been struck in the head.

A tense silence filled the air.

Then, Justin spoke again.

“So that’s how you classify people. Interesting. Can you see everyone’s status?”

“Not everything,” Algrim replied. “I can see only two things: Level and Title. But that’s more than enough.”

“Then, as a Pioneer, I’d like to ask something.”