Chapter 9: A King’s Mistake

Words : 1076 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 9: A King’s MistakeFor the next few hours, everything ran smoothly. The structured workflow I had proposed during the meeting held firm. Each team focused on their assigned responsibilities, completing tasks efficiently without unnecessary disputes. The usual problems—miscommunication, overlapping duties, wasted effort—were significantly reduced. Not eliminated, but minimized enough to keep things from spiraling into chaos. It was a delicate balance, one I maintained without making my presence too obvious. I didn't take charge outright. That would have put a target on my back. Instead, I slipped into the role of a quiet guide. When a worker from Structural Assembly hesitated on reinforcement placement, I passed by, made a quick suggestion—just enough to nudge them in the right direction. When the Logistics Team nearly ran into supply delays, I casually mentioned an alternative path to their coordinator, who quickly rerouted the flow of materials. A word here, a nod there. Small, precise bits of guidance. Just enough to influence, but never enough to draw attention. And for a while, it worked. I moved from section to section, blending in with the laborers, exchanging a few words with each team. I wasn't just fixing mistakes—I was observing, learning the way each group functioned, their strengths, their weaknesses. Some were quick to recognize the subtle help I provided. Others chalked up their increased efficiency to luck or good planning on their part. Either way, the results spoke for themselves—work was progressing faster, more smoothly than before. Even the usual rivalries between teams were dulled by the efficiency of the new structure. No one wanted to break the rhythm. A few times, I caught Evelyn glancing at me from her observation station. Her expression unreadable, as always, pen tapping idly against her clipboard. I ignored her. If I gave her nothing to scrutinize, she had no reason to involve herself. Everything was going as planned. Then I heard the shouting. I turned my head toward the commotion. A group of workers from different teams had gathered around a central point, voices rising in heated frustration. At the center of it all—Nathan. Sienna stood nearby, arms crossed, her expression tight with irritation. I didn't need to use Scan to know what was happening. Nathan was refusing to follow the agreements we had set. The moment he spoke, his voice carried the same arrogance it always did. "I don't need to follow your little compromise." His gaze swept over the other coordinators with thinly veiled disdain. "I'm A-Rank. That means I know what I'm doing better than any of you." "Nathan," Sienna said, trying to keep her voice level, "this isn't about rank. This is about making sure the job gets done properly." Nathan scoffed. "And who do you think is doing it properly? Me." Some of the other workers muttered angrily. A few looked ready to argue back, but Nathan wasn't just some overconfident worker—he had authority. And he knew it. I watched as he leaned in, lowering his voice just enough to force those around him to listen. "You know how this works. If I say you're being disruptive, if I report that you're unable to follow my lead, guess who's getting replaced?" The workers stiffened. Some of them immediately backed down, looking away. Nathan smiled. He had won. Because no matter how unfair it was, rank mattered. If Nathan claimed someone was a problem, there was a high chance they would be removed, replaced by someone deemed more 'cooperative.' Even if Evelyn wasn't going to intervene directly, she wasn't going to dispute him either. All she cared about was results. Nathan turned to Sienna, looking pleased with himself. "So, unless you want to explain to everyone why your team suddenly lost their jobs, I'd suggest you—" Sienna took a step forward. "You think you're the only one with influence?" she asked, voice dangerously low. "You think you're untouchable?" Nathan tilted his head mockingly. "Aren't I?" Sienna exhaled sharply, clearly holding herself back. But she knew the truth—arguing any further was pointless. Nathan held the advantage. One by one, the workers backed off, forced into silence. And I? I did nothing. Because stepping in now would mean nothing. Nathan wasn't someone who could be reasoned with, nor was he someone I could simply 'talk down.' His rank, his authority—it protected him. For now. But that didn't mean I wasn't paying attention. As the work resumed, I did what I did best. I watched. Nathan moved from section to section, pushing his weight around, issuing threats, making himself the 'center' of the operation. But the more I observed him, the more cracks I started to see. His arrogance wasn't just about power. It was about control. He wasn't interested in efficiency. He was interested in domination. I kept my distance, staying unnoticed as I watched his movements. Team Coordination let me analyze the actions of my group members, including their mistakes. And it was barely high enough level for me to be able to use it on Nathan. He dictated orders, but he wasn't actually paying attention to what he was doing. And then— I saw it. Nathan made a mistake. A critical mistake. The kind of mistake that couldn't be ignored. I stared at the section of the structure he had been working on, my mind running through every possibility, every consequence. And slowly, a smirk tugged at my lips. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for. Nathan had just given me the opening I needed. [SYSTEM INTERFACE] Name: Reynard Vale Job Title: Jobmaster (Rank SSS) Job Skills: Endurance Boost (Lv. 3) Reduces fatigue from manual labor Strategist (Lv. 3) Improves planning and problem-solving abilities Heavy Lifting (Lv. 2) Boosts physical strength, making it easier to carry heavy objects Material Efficiency (Lv. 2) Optimizes use of resources, reducing waste and improving precision Team Coordination (Lv. 6) Enhances team management and leadership Structural Reinforcement (Lv. 2) Improves the stability and durability of structures Precision Engineering (Lv. 2) Enhances accuracy in measurements and construction Fast Assembly (Lv. 2) Increases speed in constructing frameworks and structures Jobs: Unskilled Laborer (F) → [Rank-Up Quest Available] Special Skill: Searᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Scan, Absorb, Destroy Cooldown: Skill Copy (Ready for Use)

Chapter 9: A King’s Mistake

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