Chapter 277: - Efficient Laborer


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    The NPCs that Broken hired wasted no time diving into their tasks once they got their job assignments. Meanwhile, Livelywood and Charmelyn took charge, overseeing everything. The workers were spread out over different duties, but it was clear that most of them were builders. This made sense since, at this stage, the main focus was on building new structures and fixing what was already there.


    But that day, something rather peculiar caught the builders'' eyes. A young builder named Mortar, who looked to be in his twenties, was behaving quite strangely. Mortar preferred working by himself and rarely chatted with the others. He seemed perpetually tired, constantly yawning, and generally out of sync with the rest of the crew.


    Now, this wouldn''t have been such a big deal if it weren''t for one thing: Mortar was earning the highest sry among all the workers! This little fact stirred up quite a fewints. It wasn''t his age or his endless yawning that bothered them-it was the pay disparity that really got under their skin.


    "Just look at him," one builder said. "The Baron pays him more than us, yet he works sozily and sleepily."


    Another builder added, "It really bothers me that he gets a gold coin while working like that. I can''t ept the Baron''s unfair treatment."


    Theints grew louder among the builders.


    "We should bring this up with the Baron and demand the same sry as that useless young man," one suggested.


    "Yeah, I agree," another chimed in.


    A few builders had started gathering together, each trying to stir up their peers, voicing theirints loudly.


    "We need to demand fair treatment! Ifzy workers get big sries, why shouldn''t we?" one builder insisted.


    "Yeah, totally," another chimed in.


    Livelywood, who was patrolling the area that afternoon, noticed the group of builders standing idle and needing to be fixed. He approached them with a warm smile and said, "Hi, everyone. Is there anything I can help you with?"


    The first builder stepped forward and replied, "Lord Livelywood, I think something needs to be fixed here. Look at that fellow, Mortar! Why does the Baron pay him so much when he spends all day working half-asleep?"


    Livelywood then turned to Mortar, who was the subject of manyints. Indeed, Broken paid Mortar the highest sry and allowed him the freedom to work in his own style. Mostints from the other builders focused on Mortar''s constant yawning throughout the day.


    "I don''t see anything wrong with Mortar yawning. He looks sleepy, but he''s not falling asleep. We''ve been working very efficiently. I believe the Baron''s decision was correct," Livelywood exined.


    "My Lord, how can you say that? That guy keeps yawning all the time, and it really annoys us. He works alone, while we all know working together is more efficient. His yawning is really distracting," one builder argued.


    Livelywood tried to exin and calm everyone down. "Please, everyone, let''s align our working styles. Anyone can work alone or in a team as long as the final result is good, right?"


    One of the builders continued toin, "We can''t work under such unfair conditions. We deserve the same pay as him."


    "Yeah, this is ridiculous," another added. "The Baron pays someone randomly without any thought. It''s clear he isn''t apetent leader."


    "We need an exnation. We can''t be treated unfairly like this."


    Livelywood took a moment, trying to figure out how to soothe the growing discontent. He knew Mortar was the quickest and most efficient worker on the team, but he didn''t have a clue why Broken decided to give him the highest sry. After taking a deep breath, he finally addressed the group.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Listen, everyone, I understand your concerns. Let''s see if we can find out more about why the Baron makes these decisions. In the meantime, let''s focus on doing our best work. Fairness and justice are important, and we will address this properly."


    Several yers standing nearby couldn''t help butugh at the chaos unfolding among the NPCs.


    "Look at that," one of them chuckled. "It only took a week for genius Broken''s big n to start falling apart, hahaha."


    "Yeah, it looks like Broken''s going to waste a lot of money on this foolish project," another yer chimed in.


    "Seems like he didn''t think this through. Turns out those NPCs aren''t just objects he can control however he wants," a third yer added.


    "Those NPCs areining about unfair wages, hahaha," another yer joined in.


    Just then, a female reporter covering the progress in Slumdon town arrived on the scene.


    "Oh, viewers, it seems like there''s some trouble brewing here," she said, her voice lively and engaging. "Let''s talk to Livelywood and see how he''s handling the situation. I bet you''re all curious to find out!"


    With a bright smile, she turned to Livelywood, microphone in hand, and asked, "Can you exin to us in detail what happened here, Livelywood?"


    Livelywood smiled. "Yes, some builders are questioning why Baron Broken pays one man, Mortar, more than the others. I''ve exined that Mortar''s work is more efficient, but it seems that exnation isn''t enough to satisfy their curiosity."


    The reporter pressed on, "But how will you solve this problem? Can Baron Broken''s judgment be justified?"


    In the background, the builders continued to voice theirints. "We can''t keep going like this. We won''t get fair treatment if we don''t stop working."


    "Yeah, that''s right. It''s pointless to continue in this situation. We should stop working."


    The builders then started gathering their tools, preparing to leave.


    "This is ridiculous! I don''t want to be part of this nonsense any longer!" another builder shouted.


    Seeing the situation escte, Livelywood''s face showed panic. He quickly ran after them, calling out, "Wait! Please, hear me out. I can exin!"


    The female reporter watched the scene unfold with great interest. "It appears this is a serious issue. Will the city be able to be saved? The builders are clearly upset about the Baron''s unfair treatment. It''s going to be fascinating to see how this all ys out."


    From afar, a figure in a white cape slowly made its way towards themotion.


    "That''s the Baron," one builder said.


    Broken quickly approached the group. "What happened?"


    Livelywood hurried to exin, "Broken, sorry to have caused rm. I promise I''ll clear this


    up. It''s just a misunderstanding on their part."


    Broken surveyed the builders, noting their expressions of frustration. "Do you have any


    comints?" he asked firmly.


    "My Lord, we doubt your decision regarding the wages given to the workers," someone spoke


    up.


    Another added, "Why are some getting more than others?"


    "I''ve already exined this, haven''t I?" Broken replied.


    "But how can we be sure your decision is fair when what we see tells a different story?" one of


    the builders countered.


    "Yes, someone is workingzily and yet gets the highest pay-one gold coin."


    "I will pay you more if you can prove my judgment wrong. And who exactly are you saying doesn''t work ording to their pay?" Broken asked again.


    "We demand equal pay with Mortar," one builder dered. "He''s always yawning and works


    lazily. There''s no way he deserves that big sry!"


    "Mortar?" Broken asked, the name somewhat unfamiliar. He then looked at the individual


    they were referring to and began to inspect his status.


    [Name: Mortar] [Efficient Laborer (SS) - Master Builder (A) - Irresistible Yawner (B)]


    "Yes, Mortar deserves that sry, perhaps even more," Broken stated firmly, which seemed


    to further test the workers'' patience.