Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

Chapter 138 138

There was no need to confirm the atmosphere further—Justin could see it clearly. The lord clearly harbored ill feelings toward Elliot.

"Why?"

A fleeting question crossed Justin's mind, but it was quickly dismissed as meaningless. There were simply too many reasons that could have caused this.

Elliot, oblivious to the powers of the pioneers, had demanded to be treated as their equal. He had made disparaging remarks, calling those who had adapted to the new order nothing more than slaves bound by servitude. On top of that, he tried to keep the other immigrants under his thumb.

'How reckless.'

Elliot had practically chosen all the actions that would irritate a ruler. Though he likely acted to gather information and preserve his own influence, those motives would only appear selfish to the lord.

Cold sweat trickled down Elliot's back. He felt as if he might die here, and his dry lips tightened with dread.

"Sit down."

"Huh? Excuse me?"

Elliot blinked in surprise at Justin's sudden words. Was Justin really telling him to sit?

"I said, sit. Do I need to repeat myself?"

"N-no, sir!"

Without hesitation, sat down, fearing the consequences of any further questioning.

"Now stand up."

"...!"

Startled, shot back up to his feet as ordered.

"Sit down again."

"Yes, sir!"

"Stand up."

"Yes!"

"Sit. Stand. Sit. Stand."

"...!"

Each time Justin spoke, moved like a trained animal, repeatedly sitting and standing at Justin's command. After forcing him through this humiliating drill ten times, Justin finally gave a satisfied nod.

"Now, you can sit for real."

"Thank you!"

Completely drenched in cold sweat, sat down, his face drained of energy. While the physical strain was minimal, the mental exhaustion weighed heavily on him. It was only after this farce ended that Justin finally looked toward the two men before him.

"Well then, let's begin our discussion."

"Kyaaak!"

"Actually, a few people recently had their status windows reappear."

"What? How?"

"They said it happened after killing a few of the skeletons wandering outside. Of course, they didn't do it alone—they managed to take down one at a time by banding together."

"Oh?"

So, if they had the will to fight, even the immigrants could return as pioneers. Justin had stumbled upon unexpectedly valuable information. It meant there was a chance to turn these immigrants into pioneers if they had enough determination.

"By the way, where did you even hear about pioneers and citizens? You shouldn't know such terms if it's your first time here."

"The leader of another territory made us an offer to join him. He was quite forthcoming when I asked questions, sharing all sorts of information...."

"And then you took what you needed and left? Clever."

Elliot's face paled at Justin's sarcasm. He must have assumed Justin would take offense to the fact that another leader in a similar position had manipulated him.

"We had no intention of deceiving him!"

"Is that so? Because it sure sounds like he intended to use you."

"Huh?"

"Why do you think that leader wanted to recruit you as citizens? Did he ever mention anything about daily quests?"

"D-daily quests? No, I've never heard of such a thing. He only said the more citizens, the better, since citizens are pioneer candidates...."

As expected.

That leader wasn't a fool either. Justin smirked, watching Elliot's face grow more anxious.

"Pioneer candidates? Nonsense. What he really wanted from you was taxes."

"Taxes?"

"Yes. Every member of a territory pays taxes to the leader. Pioneers usually give a portion of what they earn from hunting, but citizens who can't hunt fulfill daily quests assigned by the system."

"Are you saying those quests are...?"

"Labor. Physical labor. In exchange for completing the work, the system rewards them with wages."

"...!"

Elliot's expression resembled someone struck in the back of the head with a hammer. He had believed he was outsmarting that leader, but now realized he had been a step away from being enslaved himself.

"How did you even think you'd become pioneers? At level 1, you would've all been slaughtered if you tried. Were you planning to ask for our help?"

"W-well, I thought that if we could increase the number of pioneers, it would also strengthen your forces...."

"So, you assumed we'd naturally help you out of goodwill? Ridiculous. While we're assisting you, someone else would fall behind in their own hunting, and that would make them weaker than their competitors. Who in this world would willingly choose to be left behind?"

"...."

As Justin's words continued, Elliot's face darkened, slowly realizing the grim relationship between pioneers and citizens.