Chapter 30: THE POPULARITY SPEEDRUN

The timer started. Meanwhile Ken took a breath, and with a smile he rubbed his chin, then grinned.

"I know how I will do."

He picked up a hoe and a pick and moved to where there was a crowd working. And he spoke.

"Who can work better than me?"

No one responded. They all stared at him. No movement, like trees.

I see.

Then he raised his pick up to the sky and spoke.

"Who wants to be more than a VIP and work less and be promoted to a normal worker?"

The silence was still absolute. Then a worker raised his hand up, and Ken stood on a rock. He pointed at the worker and he said.

"Yes... Me too. We need more salary!!"

As he said that, one after the other people were saying what they think, approving it. But still, it wasn’t enough. He bent his arm slowly down.

"I made a mistake... Free food for a day and I will pay it all."

Suddenly, the crowd shouted, and as he raised his pick up, almost everyone did the same, shouting.

Immediately, a blue luminescent screen appeared near him.

[Popularity: 0 .. 8%]

Immediately, he thought.

_Everything is working according to my plan._

Then he saw Liz behind the crowd. As his gaze landed on her he smiled maliciously in his mind. And then walked toward her and whispered in her right ear.

"Please, for the money you promised me."

Liz knew he would ask but not this fast. She said.

"How much do you need?"

Ken pointed at the crowd with elegance.

"The necessary amount to feed all these courageous workers."

Liz breathed out in disappointment.

Humans are always the same... But I won the jackpot thanks to him even though he did nothing in a way... Next time I will never say those words again.

She nodded, and Ken curved a joyful smile.

He turned, and walked to the workers. His hands were folded behind him, walking slowly and surely. Each step he did was charged with confidence.

I will control the news and eventually I will be popular. The gossips and the others are good in some way... Hehe.

He stood up on the rock and spoke.

"Let’s finish the work faster and eat together."

They all nodded and almost all the workers’ faces became serious and they all continued working.

My popularity is still at 8% and I need to reach a hundred percent in 24 hours... I will go step by step

Robert was also motivated than usual. He was working hard. Meanwhile VIPs worked normally, no extra effort on the other side.

Bil was far away from everyone alone where the ground was the hardest. He was digging a hole there. His body was wet, and sweating. It was too rare to see him giving a hundred percent of himself at work. He removed his shirt and vapor moved out of his body. Then he raised his pick and hit the ground. It echoed in the place.

On the other side, Ken felt as if someone called him. He looked to his left and right. No one was around. There was absolute silence apart from the metallic sound.

The worker that was in charge to spy on Ken was also working hard and immediately, he froze and threw his pick to the ground. He held his forehead.

"Where will that man find the money for all that he was saying?"

He walked away, and sat on a comfortable place. There was a man working a few meters away from him. He spoke.

"Why are you trying that hard if it was a lie?"

That word echoed in the man’s mind several times and he nodded.

"Okay... I will see and then I will believe if it was true or wrong."

San nodded, crossed his legs together. He saw a small cloth in his pockets, and covered his face.

At that time the intensity of the sun was slowly decreasing.

[22 hours left]

There is still time I think... If not I will use plan B and be a villain.

Ken stopped working and moved to the yard. He saw Lily and asked her something.

Few hours later, it was not even time to stop. Ken stood up straight and shouted.

"Now is time to eat..."

As he said that, some workers were already running.

"Everyone to the yard orderly... No running."

As he said that two workers fell to the ground. They wanted to ignore the laws of physics and stop moving at once.

As everyone walked and stood near the gate, the crowd opened the way at once and he was accompanied by Liz. The two walked together like lords.

As he was in front, he made a gesture and the others continued walking behind him. Meanwhile some thought.

If he fools us he will suffer... And die young.

There were all sorts of thoughts in the crowd walking behind him, both positive and negative.

As they were all in the yard, there was a carriage and Liz was behind a table ready to serve people.

Then Ken walked toward her, with Liz.

"We will help."

The first person came and he was shocked that it was only bread with sweat water. He gasped, and gaped.

"What is this... You promised us good food?"

Ken’s eyes widened.

"Did I say so?"

The man closed his mouth. As he bit the bread it was better than the bread they used to eat. Tears ran down his face.

"It’s delicious."

As Ken looked at the scene he smiled.

Eat well because this will be the best product you will eat from me... The next will be worse than what you need to eat.

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