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

Rumors about me spread faster than I could have imagined. Within days, word of my soap traveled from mouth to mouth like wildfire across a dry grassland. Not just in my village, but people from neighboring villages started arriving, drawn by their curiosity.

My once-quiet shop, which usually only saw sickly villagers, was now bustling every single day. Some came just to look, others to sniff the soap, but in the end, they all left as buyers.

And the highlight? A merchant from the city came to offer me a business deal.

"You're Arkan, aren't you?" said a chubby man dressed in the neat attire of a city merchant. His sly smile made it clear he saw a golden opportunity here. "I've heard your soap is selling like hotcakes. What do you say we team up? You supply the goods, and I'll sell them in the city. If we're lucky, we might even reach the neighboring kingdom!"

I could barely contain my grin at his offer. This was a big step for me. Partnering with a city merchant meant my soap could reach a much wider market. My reputation would grow.

"Of course, I agree!" I said quickly, extending my hand. The merchant chuckled as he firmly shook it.

"Good, young man. But make sure your production keeps up. Demand from the city is high, you know?"

High demand—that phrase almost made me want to cry with joy… and panic at the same time. While I had succeeded, the truth was that I was already struggling with production.

Up until now, it had just been me making the soap, with occasional help from Old Man Oldan. But I knew I couldn't push him to do more. The old man had already done enough, even though he grumbled about it every day.

That meant I had to get creative.

The answer? Village kids.

They were over ten years old, full of energy, and most of them had free time after helping their parents in the fields or with livestock. Plus, I knew from my childhood experiences back on Earth: kids are quick learners, especially when there's the right motivation.

The next day, I stood outside my shop, holding a few soap bars and an empty basket. A group of village kids watched me curiously, whispering among themselves like they usually did.

"Kids! Listen up!" I called out loudly.

They immediately fell silent, their wide eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Do you want extra pocket money? Want to buy candy or toys you've always wanted?" I asked, holding up one of the soap bars.

A few of them eagerly nodded. "We do!"

"Well, I've got an easy job for you," I continued with a confident smile. "I'll teach you how to make soap like this. If you help me produce it, I'll pay you copper coins for every task you complete."

Their faces lit up with excitement. Kids in this village rarely had the chance to earn their own money, so this was a golden opportunity for them.

"But remember," I added with a serious tone, "you have to work carefully and neatly. I'll teach you how, and whoever learns the fastest might even get a special bonus!"

"Bonus?!" they exclaimed in unison.

I chuckled. Kids are always easily motivated by the promise of a prize.

From his usual spot in the corner of the shop, Old Man Oldan let out a long sigh, shaking his head. "Kid, you really know how to make use of everything around you…"

I grinned smugly. "Not use, Old Man. I'm giving them an opportunity to learn while earning pocket money."

With their help, my soap production would skyrocket. A workforce that was cheap and highly enthusiastic—this was the valuable resource I needed. Before long, I'd be able to meet the city merchant's demands and perhaps even conquer the market in the nearby kingdom.

As I looked at the cluster of eager, curious village kids gathered around me, I smiled to myself.

That day was peaceful, the wind gently rustling through the trees near the village forest. I carried an empty basket on my back, searching for materials like wood ash, vegetable oil, and various herbs to improve the quality of my soap. The forest wasn't particularly dense, but it was rich in easily accessible resources.

As I walked and collected ingredients, my thoughts wandered to Rainer, the protagonist of this world. It had been a while since I'd last seen him collapsed on the floor of my shop. After that, he left without so much as a glance back.

But I still remembered the plot from the novel. If my memory served me right, Rainer was currently going through an important phase in his journey: overcoming the trauma of his defeat at the dragon's nest expedition.

Back then, the expedition had ended in disaster. As the only survivor, Rainer had been scapegoated. Humiliation, guilt, and the constant pursuit by imperial soldiers had crushed his confidence as a hero.

However, I knew there was a turning point in his story. After wallowing in despair and nearly giving up on life, Rainer would eventually decide to rise again. He would assume a new identity as a mercenary, using this disguise to train himself while evading the empire's grasp.

I picked a handful of herbal leaves and let out a long sigh. "He must be at that phase now… or close to it."

I couldn't help but smile slightly as I thought about it. Rainer was a true protagonist, and his story was always filled with heroic drama meant to inspire readers. But I, on the other hand, was just an extra character in this world. Still, with the system, my knowledge, and my soap business, I was carving my own path.

"It's funny, isn't it," I muttered while plucking a sap-filled twig. "In the novel, I was just an unnamed herbal shopkeeper who made a brief appearance. But now? I might just create my own story—even without Rainer."

Still, I couldn't deny the possibility that our lives might intersect again. This world, though vast, felt too small to rule out the chance that Rainer and I would meet once more.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling leaves made me pause. My footsteps halted as I sharpened my senses.

"Who's there?" I called out warily. The forest was generally safe, but there was always the chance of encountering bandits, wild animals, or even imperial soldiers searching for Rainer.

No response. But the soft crunch of approaching footsteps grew louder, making me grip the small stick I'd brought for protection.

"Maybe I'm overthinking this," I muttered, trying to calm myself. But for some reason, a nagging feeling told me that today's peaceful mood might not last much longer.