Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Clan (2)
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After hesitating for a long while, she finally left the cafe. It was the most suitable place to wait for her interview, so her departure was a bit puzzling.
"Hunters shouldn't be short on money... What was her ability again?"
He mainly remembered the applicants' faces from their photos, but her awakening ability escaped him.
He decided to check later and approached the counter.
"Welcome! This is Honey Cafe!"
The interior suggested a clean, atmospheric cafe. It felt upscale, like they'd invested a decent amount of money.
There were dozens of tables. It was spacious, but not even half full.
The few customers were all lone men fiddling with their smartphones.
There were hardly any people.
'Of course. It's ridiculously expensive.'
Honestly, if it weren't in his building, he would've walked out.
'For now... let's see how it tastes.'
"How can I help you?"
"One iced Americano, please."
A woman in her mid-to-late twenties with ample breasts smiled kindly. She was the cafe's owner.
'These guys must be here to ogle her. Wonder if they know she's married.'
According to Da-som, whom he'd signed the contract with, it was run by a newlywed couple. There was a ring on her left ring finger.
She was definitely married.
He sat in a suitable spot and scanned her. She wore the cafe uniform—a tight outfit that revealed a bit of thigh.
Overall, it was modest. Minimal exposure, but form-fitting enough to show off her figure perfectly.
'Did they plan it that way?'
The men seemed drawn by the uniform and her curves. Without them, the place would've gone under long ago.
"Here's your iced Americano~"
The beaming married woman said in a bright, high tone. Her voice was pleasant enough.
"Enjoy~"
He settled in to taste it. The menu claimed premium ingredients. It might actually be amazing.
'Coffee's coffee, though...'
*Slurp*
'Ack...!'
He nearly spat it out. His tongue went numb. Coffee was supposed to be bitter, sure, but this was extreme.
It barely had any aroma—just pure bitterness, like flavorless herbal medicine. There was even a hint of char.
He dumped in a ton of syrup to make it palatable, but set it down after a couple sips.
'This place'll flop soon... They suck at business.'
The other male customers weren't touching theirs either. They just stole glances at the owner lady.
He didn't care as long as the rent came in steadily, but his gut told him this couple was doomed.
'They won't even default on rent, will they...?'
Most clan matters were handled by Vice Clan Leader Han So-young.
She welcomed Si-woo as she rifled through documents.
"You're here? Take a look at this. Resumes from this week's applicants."
Si-woo picked up one sheet and said,
"I've seen them all, of course. This one's the prettiest, right?"
"...You're impossible. This isn't a girlfriend audition."
Truth be told, beauty was a great talent. If he blessed her, she'd grow strong fast. In that sense, standout looks were ideal.
Especially as the clan grew—he couldn't bless just anyone.
He planned to focus on obedient women who contributed to the clan.
'Like employee of the month. Perfect.'
He nodded and told Han So-young,
"Anyway, pass the ones without issues as interns. You and Da-hye each take a party."
"Already...? We haven't been awakened that long."
"It's fine. You're plenty capable in my eyes."
They sparred with him often, making them stronger than peers. Their basics were solid.
Bzzz
Han So-young checked her smartphone and frowned.
"One applicant wants to reschedule. The fast-rising hunter we talked about before."
"When?"
"...Now. Says she's right outside the building."
"This sudden?"
"She was blunt. Tons of offers, short on time. Ours has the best terms among mid-to-small clans."
It was audacious, but he figured he'd at least see her face.
*
Luckily, there was time before the next scheduled interview. They could squeeze her in without overlap.
He'd expected a bold type from the rude request. But she was nothing like that.
"H-Hello..."
A haggard woman shuffled in weakly.
She wore well-used gear, probably her usual. Rough skin, heavy dark circles.
She gave off exhausted hacker vibes. Even simple questions left her mentally jittery.
She kept scanning the room, even biting her nails.
"Telekinesis, right? Could you demonstrate?"
"Y-Yes... O-One moment, please..."
Her trembling hands pulled something from her pocket.
'What the...'
Blue crystal powder.
She dumped it in her mouth. The anxious, shaking woman transformed in an instant.
"Haa... Let's begin."
Whirr
Her array of weapons floated up. Sharp knives, awls. They danced through the air rapidly.
Visibly D-rank power. But something nagged at him.
"That stuff you just took... Blue crystal, right?"
"Oh, yes. Mana booster. Works great."
It was all over the news lately. Especially...
"Heard it's a drug. You okay?"
"Oh? It's not even bad for you. Anyway, a question?"
"...Go ahead."
"The ad mentioned providing rift consumables and gear. Does that include blue crystal?"
'Heh...'
Eating what might be a drug mid-interview? She seemed out of her mind from addiction.
*
Han So-young folded the recent applicant's resume in half.
"Skills look good... but she's clearly a drug addict. No way we're taking her, right?"
Those types dragged everyone down.
"Obviously not. She was ready to recommend her dealer."
"Ugh... Hope the next one's normal..."
Time passed, and the woman from the cafe entered, visibly tense.
She kept tugging at her short suit skirt, unused to it. Her stocking-clad legs curved elegantly in high heels.
'Yeah... total newbie awakening.'
The suit screamed beginner. Stiff with nerves, she bowed vigorously.
"H-Hello! I'm Lee Yeon-hee. Awakened F-rank a month ago. N-No rift experience, but if you take me, I'll work hard!"
Han So-young glanced at the resume and said gently,
"Hello. I'm Vice Clan Leader Han So-young. No need to be so tense. Rock summon, correct?"
"Y-Yes..."
Her voice shrank. She clearly lacked confidence in her ability.
"Could you demonstrate? Oh, rocks might be risky here—want to use the training room?"
"N-No, I'll do it here..."
Lip-biting, Lee Yeon-hee conjured a rock in the air.
A pebble smaller than a fist dropped to the floor.
"Uh..."
The room fell silent. Han So-young was speechless.
Creating matter from nothing was miraculous, but it didn't seem monster-slaying material.
Lee Yeon-hee hurriedly added,
"I-I can be a porter too! Please!"
Si-woo stroked his chin silently, then nodded. Her broke look at the cafe made sense now.
With that power, rifts were out. And her beauty? Street porter work would've been dangerous. No wonder Han So-young hid her face.
'Hmm... She'd bust her ass if we hired her.'
From the academy world, an alchemy book could synergize. Pebbles now, but who knew?
Glancing at her resume, he asked,
"On leave from a top university, huh? Like studying?"
"Ah... Yes. Loved it since I was little."
"Mind if I ask why the leave?"
"Family... finances..."
"I see. Got it."
A perfect role came to mind. He nodded. Alchemist fit.
"Any questions about the clan?"
His friendly tone brightened her face. Curiosity lit her eyes, but she hesitated.
"Go on, ask."
"Um... Dorm provided, right?"
"Yep. Floors 4 through 5, all dorms here."
"Ah...!"
She timidly asked about benefits and pay next, her eyes growing desperate. His clan outclassed others.
SH Smith sponsored gear; the building was his. Plenty of leeway.
"P-Please hire me! I'll work hard!"
After a final 90-degree bow, Lee Yeon-hee left.
Confirming she was gone, Han So-young said quietly,
"Um... Rock summoning's kinda meh? Useless in combat."
"Hmm... Non-combat role? Like alchemist."
"Alchemy...? Isn't that big corp stuff?"
"Got a solid alchemy book. Might work out better than you think."
"Hm... If you say so."
"And hire most applicants unless major issues. 3-month internship, then full contract if good."
"Got it."
Tough for small clans—they had to gear newbies. But free sponsorships made it easy for him.
Interviews would continue all week.
"Who's tomorrow?"
Han So-young said with a slight pout.
"The one you called prettiest."
"Oh... her?"
"Kinda intriguing. Big guild scouted her—why apply here?"
"Big guild? Makes sense, dual ability."
Pondering the promising recruit's reason, he joked,
"Hmm... Probably fell for my swordsmanship."
"Eek...?"
She used to curse at lines like that.
Working the clan had toned down her swearing.
'Or... calling me Master in bed's making her more submissive...?'