Chapter 46

“Problem? This isn’t a reward—it’s a punishment! What’s with all this nonsense about labor and war? And taxes? That’s theft, not a reward!”

“And who cares about territory development? We can’t even afford to eat—what good is land?!”

“If we don’t elect a leader, we’re just monster food! Are you joking with us right now?!”

A hollow chuckle escaped Aaron’s lips, though his eyes reflected nothing but disdain.
“You misunderstand. These are genuine rewards—though it seems you fail to see their true value.”

“Value?! How can you call this a reward?!”

“Allow me to explain.”

Raising a finger like a teacher lecturing a class of ignorant children, Aaron continued calmly.
“The daily labor quests require no combat whatsoever. You simply perform manual tasks and, in return, receive magic stones. In other words, you’ll earn money without risking your lives.”

That revelation changed the expressions of some of the commoners instantly.

For those who weren’t pioneers, who had so far spent every day in fear and helplessness, the idea of earning money without stepping onto the battlefield was a tempting prospect.

“Of course, the reward will be much smaller than what you’d earn from battle, but the safety is worth the trade-off, isn’t it?”

“So we’re just supposed to work like slaves now?” one man scoffed.

“Were you planning to earn magic stones by doing nothing at all?” Aaron asked, his voice sharp.

The man, caught off guard, closed his mouth. It wasn’t guilt that silenced him, but the judgmental stares from nearby pioneers.

“Next, about territory development. It’s not merely about owning land. True, you can expand the territory or improve its fertility, but the real purpose is to add facilities.”

“Facilities?” someone asked cautiously.

“Yes. Anything from basic road maintenance to constructing a swimming pool—or even building a hospital for healing injuries.”

Murmurs of realization swept through the crowd.

“Naturally, those improvements come at a cost. Even if this feature unlocks, you won’t be able to afford much right away.”

The final blow was the fact that only the leader could initiate territory development. Not even pioneers could access those functions without one. Without a leader, the settlement would remain stagnant.

“If you desire change, elect a leader. Without one, this land will remain exactly as it is.”

A new voice spoke up, calm but authoritative—Zachary stepped forward.

“Let’s assume we accept the necessity of leadership and development. But what about taxes? I assume the leader sets the rate, collects the revenue, and reinvests it into the territory?”

Aaron smiled warmly, a clear contrast to his earlier disdain.
“Exactly. You’re perceptive, as expected from a true pioneer who isn’t afraid of responsibility.”

Despite the praise, Zachary’s expression remained cold.
“Then explain the war mechanics. Why would war or declarations of conflict be considered a reward?”

For the first time, Aaron blinked slowly, as if genuinely surprised by the question.
“Why? Because victory brings the greatest rewards of all.”

“Rewards?” Zachary’s voice was low, suspicious.

Aaron’s smile widened—a chilling, predatory grin.
“Yes, rewards. The spoils of war are abundant: equipment, magic stones, even the houses and facilities the losers built. Their territory becomes yours. But that’s not all.”

The old man’s voice dipped lower, turning sinister.
“You’ll also gain something far more valuable—slaves. Entire populations of defeated enemies at your command.”

A heavy silence fell across the crowd.

The weight of the system’s brutality was finally beginning to settle in.

“…Slaves?”

The crowd’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Slaves.

The very word itself felt too foreign, too grotesque to fully comprehend. A stunned silence lingered as people struggled to process what they had just heard.

Aaron delivered the final blow with clinical detachment.
“Yes, slaves. A highly efficient resource, wouldn’t you agree? You can work them as much as you like, feed them the bare minimum, and their disposal lies entirely in the master’s hands.”

“W-Wait! Hold on a second!”

Zachary’s voice cracked as he raised his voice, his face flushed with suppressed anger. But it wasn’t directed at Aaron—it seemed like he was struggling to calm himself down.

After several deep breaths, Zachary managed to ask,
“Who exactly becomes a slave? Who are we enslaving?”

“The citizens of enemy territories, of course. The other youngman.”

“Citizens?”

“Indeed. I assume you’re all aware by now—this isn’t the only safe zone. There are others scattered across this world, not too far from here. If you’re determined enough, you can reach them.”

A chill ran down their spines as realization crept in.
“Then… this war you’re speaking of…”

“Is a war between pioneers of different safe zones. And those captured? The civilians of that region become your slaves.”

The weight of the truth sank like a stone in the pit of their stomachs.
They had known, in theory, that other settlements existed. But war? Spoils? Slavery?

The worst-case scenario suddenly became a terrifying possibility.

And then, as if confirming their deepest fears, Aaron continued with a smile,
“Naturally, the same applies to all of you as well.”

His cold certainty was a slap to the face.

“If your settlement loses against an invading force, the victors will claim everything—your homes, your possessions, even your lives.”

“T-That’s absurd! There’s no way that’s allowed!”

Aaron’s voice turned frigid, slicing through the growing panic.
“What’s absurd is your assumption that morality matters here. This system doesn’t care about your ideals. It only acknowledges power. Win, and you’ll take everything. Lose, and everything—your freedom, your family—will be stripped away.”

“…!”

“The only ones who might stand a chance at defending you are the pioneers. Well… unless certain exceptions arise.”

“Exceptions?” The voice that asked trembled with dread.

Aaron’s gaze turned ruthless.
“A leader decides whether to fight or surrender. If defeat is inevitable, the pioneers might simply offer their loyalty to another safe zone’s ruler.”

The implications struck like a thunderclap.

“Of course, this would only be possible for capable pioneers. Without prior negotiation, you’ll all be enslaved by default. Perhaps, if the opposing leader is merciful, you might be allowed to live as civilians under their rule.”

Aaron chuckled darkly, as if mocking the sheer hopelessness of the situation.

The silence that followed was suffocating, the air thick with rising dread. Clenched fists trembled with impotent rage as people realized how powerless they truly were.

Unbothered by the burning gazes directed at him, Aaron delivered the final verdict.
“Once again, I urge you—elect a leader and follow their orders. That is the only advice I can give. You are free to refuse, of course…”

The unspoken threat lingered like a shadow over their heads.