Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character

How should I promote this soap?

After racking my brain, the answer suddenly came to me out of nowhere—the moms' community!

Why didn't I think of this sooner? Just like back on Earth, in this world too, mothers were the heart of local information networks. They often gathered at the village well, the market, or small events like group cooking, sharing the latest gossip or chatting about daily issues. If there was something new or interesting, they were the first to know—and the first to spread the news.

Unlike the men, who usually gathered only to drink, play dice, or debate about whose cow was the strongest, the moms' network was… more effective. Once they liked something, the whole village would know in a matter of days. If I was lucky, the news could even spread to the next village.

I clenched my fist with determination. "Yes, this is it! I'll win over the hearts of the mothers in this village!"

Of course, this plan wasn't without its challenges. Just imagine: a young guy like me, known as the lazy herbal shopkeeper, suddenly showing up with something as strange as soap and asking them to try it out. I could already picture the skeptical looks—or worse, them assuming I'd lost my mind.

But it was a risk I had to take.

The next morning, I stood outside the herbal shop, holding a basket filled with my soaps. I'd wrapped each bar in large leaves to make them look more appealing. The morning air was still fresh, but I knew the moms would soon arrive at the village well to fetch water and begin their daily routines.

"Alright, Arkan. It's time," I muttered, taking a deep breath. I forced a friendly smile onto my face—though honestly, it probably looked a little strained because, well… I was nervous.

Carrying the basket, I walked toward the village well, where a group of moms was already gathered. They were chatting happily, some busy pumping water while others leaned on their hips, gossiping and laughing about something. Their voices echoed in the air, filling the morning with a lively atmosphere.

I stopped a few steps away, trying to steady my nerves. "Okay… Stay calm. Just pretend this is a presentation for my thesis back in college. You can do this, Arkan. They're just… yeah, ordinary moms."

But as soon as one of them—a chubby woman with a friendly face and a stained apron—noticed me, the entire conversation came to an abrupt halt. Their eyes all shifted to me at once.

I suddenly started sweating. Dear god, why does this feel like I've just walked into a lion's den?

"G-good morning, everyone!" I greeted, my voice slightly trembling but attempting to sound cheerful. I raised one hand in an awkward wave, like I was addressing potential customers.

One of the moms furrowed her brow in confusion. "Oh, Arkan? What are you doing here so early with a basket like that? Selling herbs?"

I quickly shook my head. "No, no! Today, I want to introduce you to something new! A… discovery that will change your lives!"

The group began whispering to one another, exchanging curious but skeptical glances. One of them—the apparent informal leader of the group—spoke up with suspicion. "What discovery, Arkan? Don't tell me it's another one of those weird potions you've made…"

I chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood. "It's not a weird potion, ma'am! It's soap!" With a dramatic flourish, I pulled a leaf-wrapped soap from the basket and held it up for them to see.

The moms began whispering even more.

"Soap? What's that?"

"It looks like a rock…"

"Is it some kind of cleaning potion?"

I took a deep breath and started my enthusiastic explanation. "Ladies, this soap is a magical item that can clean your body with ease! Just add a little water, rub it in, and—tada!—your body will be clean, fragrant, and fresh like a noble!"

One of them snickered. "A noble? You're joking, Arkan. I can't even remember the last time a noble took a bath."

I gave a small smile, maintaining my composure. "Exactly! They don't know what they're missing! But you ladies could be the first to try something extraordinary. Imagine—clean skin, no more dirt, and smelling wonderful! I bet your husbands would love it if their wives were cleaner and prettier!"

That last line seemed to hit a nerve. A few of the moms exchanged glances, their expressions turning curious. My bait had been taken.

"But… does it really work?" one of them asked hesitantly.

I smiled confidently. "Of course it does! If you don't believe me, why don't you try it now? It's free today!"

They started moving closer, their faces full of curiosity and anticipation. Internally, I screamed in triumph: the moms' network was proving to be as effective as I'd hoped!

As I'd predicted, the domino effect happened even faster than expected. By midday, Old Man Oldan's shop was packed with young village girls who had heard the news and arrived with faces full of excitement and curiosity.

Some stood outside the shop, whispering and nudging each other as if planning something secretive. Others stepped inside shyly, though their eyes were clearly fixed on one thing: my soap.

"Excuse me…" a soft voice broke the silence. A young girl with braided hair and blushing cheeks stood hesitantly in the doorway, glancing at me. "Is it true you're selling… soap that can make you clean and smell nice?"

I held back a triumphant grin, playing it cool as the "professional shopkeeper." With practiced confidence, I welcomed her.

"That's right! You've come to the right place," I said, pointing toward the small rack in the corner where my soaps were neatly arranged. "This is Arkan's Herbal Soap—my latest product that'll leave you cleaner, fresher, and of course… more attractive!"

The girl's eyes sparkled as she stared at the soap. She wasn't the only one—several girls peeking through the doorway began stepping in, filling the shop.

"I heard this from my neighbor this morning… She said she tried it, and her skin felt so smooth!" said one girl, moving closer to inspect the soap.

"And it smells amazing!" added another, leaning in to sniff the bars on display.

Suppressing my pride, I crossed my arms confidently behind the counter. This was exactly what I wanted. The moms' network had worked wonders, and the hype about my "magic soap" had spread among them—and, of course, their daughters didn't want to miss out on trying something new.

"How much is it, Arkan?" one of them asked cautiously, perhaps worried it would cost a fortune like a noble's luxury product.

I paused briefly before answering with a warm smile. "It's cheap! For now, just 3 copper coins per bar. Affordable, right?"

Their faces brightened instantly. "Really? That's so cheap!"

"Of course! I want everyone to try this soap," I replied. Internally, I knew this was a long-term strategy. Start cheap now, then let them get hooked and keep coming back.

Without hesitation, the girls began grabbing soap from the rack, their excitement like that of children discovering a new toy. Some even mentioned plans to share the soap with friends in the neighboring village.

From his usual spot in the corner of the shop, Old Man Oldan watched everything with a look of amazement before finally speaking. "Kid… You actually managed to sell that thing?"

I smirked, glancing at him. "What did I tell you? This is just the beginning, Old Man. Soon, this soap will be the talk of the village. Who knows—maybe even the nearby kingdom will hear my name!"

He snorted softly but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Hm, if you can keep the shop this busy… maybe you're not as lazy as I thought."

I chuckled, watching the village girls leave the shop, clutching their new soaps with expressions of pure satisfaction. This was only a small step, but it felt like a huge victory to me.

"Alright… First day of sales—success!" I whispered, clenching my fist in triumph. In my heart, I could see my future beginning to take shape. This wasn't just about soap. This was the start of my rise.