Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 115: Metamorphosis - Rehabilitation & Change

"You're right," Daisuke replied. "It was probably only a matter of time before the lord decided to dispose of us—and, if anything were to happen to me or the troop, I wanted the people to be able to stand on their own."

Without a word, he approached the clear pool that had formed from the water vein and gently touched his finger to the cool surface. The water shimmered under his touch, and for a moment, he felt a connection to the life it nurtured.

DING!

[Aquessence is the purest form of water, drawn from a hidden underground aquifer untouched by time. This crystal-clear liquid has been naturally infused with the energy of an Aether Field—a mystical force that eradicates all impurities and contaminants at the molecular level. The result is a water so pristine and rich in vital minerals and oxygen that it shimmers with an almost ethereal glow.]

Again, I have no idea what an Aether Field is, but it seems my sacrifices weren't in vain after all. More people have started to farm now that they've seen the benefits for themselves. If this continues, fewer mouths will go hungry.

As this realization brought a smile to Daisuke's face, Elysia approached and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "There's someone I want you to meet."

***

Daisuke's gaze followed Elysia as she came to a stop. In the field ahead, a man dressed in a hooded cloak was busy tilling the land, flanked by two others who worked diligently alongside him. A gentle breeze caught their thick garments, billowing just enough for Daisuke to catch a glimpse of the heavy armor concealed beneath.

Elysia watched in alarm as his eyes suddenly narrowed into dark, dangerous slits. As his body dipped low, poised either for a defensive or offensive maneuver, she quickly rested a hand on his shoulder, grounding him in the moment.

"Wait, it's not what you think!" She admitted urgently, a gasp escaping her lips as the boy snapped his head around, his razor-sharp gaze burning into hers.

"Dusthaven's lord and two of his strongest guards are standing right in front of me," Daisuke retorted with a sneer. "What's there to misunderstand?"

When the man pulled back his hood and bowed deeply, Daisuke's eyes widened in surprise, and his shoulders relaxed just a fraction. With a discerning gaze, he scrutinized the older man, who could easily have been mistaken for a dwarf. A pair of sincere eyes peeked out from beneath a dense curtain of facial hair, and his demeanor was calm and pleasant, exuding a sense of genuine respect.

Daisuke had honestly expected a sly, pompous miscreant who wanted nothing more than to eradicate both him and everyone else who dwelled in the slums. But instead—

"So, you're the infamous leader of the Slum Sprites," the man said, a warm smile spreading across his face as he lifted his chin, his eyes gleaming with kindness. "First and foremost, I want to express my sincerest gratitude for everything you've done."

Daisuke frowned. "...Gratitude? For stealing?"

The man took a step forward, his vassals standing behind him like silent statues. "Hunger and despair can change people," he said, his voice low and compassionate as he crouched down to gently flip over a beetle that had found itself stuck on its back. "You selflessly did what you had to do to keep everyone fed." He paused, looking up with sincerity in his eyes. "What truly matters is that you never took more than you needed, nor did you resort to excessive violence."

Daisuke's frown deepened. "Wait. How did you—"

"And you never had any intention of prolonging that lifestyle," added Elysia, which clarified how the village lord had come into possession of such insight. "You were always searching for solutions to make the people of the slums become self-sufficient. Eventually, you set your sights on agriculture."

As the beetle took flight, the man shifted his attention to the people tirelessly tilling the fields, his gaze filled with veneration and empathy. "While I care deeply for the people of the slums and desperately wanted to offer aid," he said, his voice heavy with regret, "there was nothing I could do."

Daisuke's forehead crinkled quizzically.

"Dusthaven has been plagued by a decade-long drought," Elysia explained, her brow furrowing with concern. "And the lakes and rivers just outside the village are haunted by fierce monsters. Lord Chadrick—"

Daisuke raised one eyebrow teasingly. "Lord Chadrick, huh? So you both are on a first-name basis now?"

Elysia's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing bright crimson. Lord Chadrick cleared his throat, evidently flustered by the statement. One of the guards failed to stifle a giggle, which promptly earned him a sneer and an armored elbow to the side by his companion.

When the heat subsided from her cheeks, Elysia confidently turned toward Daisuke again. "Considering the water shortages and the constant threat of monsters outside the village, Lord Rotherham would likely upset the villagers if he shifted his focus toward anything else."

Daisuke cupped his chin, his eyes narrowing in contemplation. "That's a valid point. Despite their circumstances, the villagers are always working hard to make ends meet. They'd be pissed if their taxes went to supporting a group of people who've essentially given up on themselves."

"You're absolutely right," Lord Chadrick agreed, nodding firmly. "I knew for certain that offering aid could easily spark civil unrest. And so, Haxks, I'm deeply grateful that you were the one to inspire the people of the slums to become productive once again."

Daisuke and Elysia followed the man's warm gaze as he spoke. The unfortunate folk who had once been emaciated and bound by despair were now engaged in pleasant conversations as they happily toiled away in the fields.

Children, once deprived of energy and burdened with ashen eyes, now sang and played, their laughter ringing through the air. Nearby, those with a passion for cooking were enthusiastically preparing a vegetable stew with ingredients harvested from their own labor, the aroma wafting invitingly. It was a scene that felt almost surreal.

According to the lord, who regarded the people—both humans and demihumans alike—as if they were his very own children, Dusthaven was on the cusp of a monumental change. After personally witnessing the renewed drive and ambition of the slum folk, he boldly suggested that the local merchants did business with them.

Old grudges gradually gave way to the promise of profits and prosperity when the shopkeepers bore witness to the impressive quality of the crops that had been blessed by the presence of the Aquessence.

After hosting a vote that ended favorably, the lord and the committee board initiated plans to build new houses, gradually transitioning the people of the slums into proper residential communities.

Now the slums, once a symbol of despair and hatred, would be transformed into fertile land for agriculture, expanding the thriving farms that had already taken root.

This new industry promised to create more job opportunities in the village, and the exceptional quality of the crops had already begun attracting foreign merchants.

Slowly but surely, the small village was taking the necessary steps toward becoming a thriving town. As word spread far and wide, it would only be a matter of time before foreigners, drawn by the village's growing reputation, started moving in. Their diverse skill sets would bring the development Dusthaven desperately needed, accelerating its transformation into a prosperous community.

"And it was your persistence to make a difference that sparked this monumental change in the community," Elysia said with admiration in her voice.

Lord Chadrick nodded in agreement, his guards sharing his approving smile. "Haxks... won't you consider staying in Dusthaven and becoming my personal attendant?"