Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Representative Employee
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As expected when heading underground, I registered the siren—no, Aqua—as an [Employee]. I couldn't understand her speech to learn her name, but the system revealed it for me.
"So your name is Aqua?"
"Whiiing."
Upon learning her name, Aqua widened her eyes round and nodded. Then she hummed a tune, swimming gracefully across the now-pristine lake surface.
'What's [Rage Control]?'
The other [Talents] were all water-related, but this one stood out oddly. It was hard to imagine the joyful Aqua, radiating endless goodwill toward us, ever getting angry... I'd check it later.
For now, as anticipated, Aqua was also 5-star. Considering everyone found in this ruin so far was 5-star, it was a predictable outcome. Maybe even Lilith, not yet registered, was 5-star? Though I wouldn't register her right away.
"Tsk. But this is a bit of a problem..."
Heading underground and registering the new powerhouse as an [Employee] had gone smoothly. And seeing the lake's surface ripple massively with each joyful splash she made after I purified it, her abilities seemed as impressive as hoped.
Plus, since I'd cleaned her home lake spotless, she held considerable goodwill toward us... no, toward me specifically. All good so far, but...
"Doesn't she die if she's out of water too long?"
"A being that powerful wouldn't die easily, but... it'd be quite painful, and she'd weaken steadily."
"Whiiing."
Her race being a siren meant I couldn't take my precious new [Employee] outside. The [Employee Management] screen blatantly stated all action efficiencies halved outside water—likely reflecting siren traits.
"Sigh... For now, stay here. I'll visit often."
"Whiiing!"
No choice but to shelve the plan to use her against future intruders. Worst case, I could make a small temporary lake upstairs, but too many issues right now.
Instead...
"Here."
"Whiiing?"
-[Underwater Cleaner (lv.3)]: A cleaner that sucks up sunken pollutants in water! Does not suck up water!
I handed the humming Aqua the [Underwater Cleaner]. I'd used [Water Purifier] earlier to sink all the filth to the lake bottom, but that was just sinking it— the bottom would still be piled with grime.
That's where this [Underwater Cleaner] came in. It filtered water while sucking only pollutants when activated underwater.
"Aqua? I have a favor to ask you first..."
"Whiiing!"
At my request, Aqua's eyes sparkled as she subtly flaunted her voluptuous figure, pressing closer as if urging me to ask her. So I did...
"Could you clean for me?"
"...Whiiing?"
I had her clean the lake bottom, then headed back up.
"...Whiiing..."
Leaving the upper floors empty too long might worry the ruin's residents, so after registering Aqua, explaining the situation, and tasking her with lake cleanup, I returned upstairs.
"Hmph. Right. The Master is that kind of person."
Erzsebet seemed oddly cheerier again, so I left her to rest and checked the system message that appeared after sprinkling [Water Purifier] over the lake.
-Current Pollution Level: 58.4%
[Pollution reduced by 40%: Unlocked [Representative Employee] function.]
The pollution level, steadily dropping, had shattered the 60% barrier in one go, granting a new reward. Considering it hit 70% just two days ago, this was astonishing speed.
'Well, I did purify that massive lake.'
Not perfectly cleaned, but the slimes devoured the underground's major pollutants, making this the biggest drop yet. Clearing the [Main Quest] suddenly felt possible.
'No. Don't get complacent. Even in the original Cleaning Game, that last 10%—or 1%—of hidden pollution had me scrambling forever.'
Anyway, I hadn't checked the 70% reward properly, and now this new one: [Representative Employee] function.
"This is... just placing someone in the game lobby."
Why this function now? It existed in Cleaning Game, but wasn't practical—just picking one [Employee] to stand in the lobby.
At best, setting a pretty one or grotesque mutant to ogle on login. No other features.
"Let's try it anyway."
I tested by setting new employee Aqua as [Representative Employee]. Her name jumped to the top of the employee list in [Employee Management].
"That's it?"
-[Representative Employee] registered.
-Points earned through [Representative Employee] increased by 10%. No cooldown on [Quick Move] to [Representative Employee].
-Additional effects available depending on selected [Representative Employee].
-[Representative Employee]: Aqua
-Additional Effect: All employees gain 'Underwater Breathing' effect.
"Oh?"
Not just a gimmick—unlike the game, effects poured in immediately upon setting it.
From a modest points boost, to no cooldown on the useful [Quick Move], plus varied effects per employee...
'Interesting.'
Cleaning Game's system, till now only familiar elements, now spawning unknowns. Maybe from a patch I installed before arriving here.
Further pollution drops might unlock more secrets.
Wonder what other employees give...
-To set a new [Representative Employee], 24 hours cooldown required.
"Dang."
No endlessly swapping for no-cooldown [Quick Move] on all. Oh well. I'd learn others' effects slowly.
"Master!"
"Ah. Damn."
While tinkering with the new system, an urgent voice from one of the kin called out.
"Master! You're back. Right now..."
"Yeah. What now. Heroes invading? Union remnants seeking revenge? Or unaffiliated demons claiming the newborn dungeon?"
Neurotic at kin calling me 'Master' now. Usually meant intruders.
But the kin looked baffled.
"Pardon? No way. Who'd dare challenge Master?"
The kin eyed me like I was joking.
From massacring nearby city heroes, felling Radiance's famed disciple, crushing Iron Wall—a key demon realm conqueror—and shattering the southern alliance overnight... who would?
"Word of the Union's destruction is spreading. No lunatic would attack Master after that."
"Ahem. Then why the panic?"
Not enemies, so I calmed and asked. The kin beamed with pride.
"Yes. Elves scouting the outer forest spotted multiple demons."
"Multiple demons?"
Didn't sound like foes... Nearby residents? Or wandering demons like Red Demon Tribe?
"Heh. Master. Why demons visit is obvious."
"What."
"They heard your fame and seek to serve under you!"
"...Under me?"
Stunned, I mumbled. The kin nodded smugly.
'Hold on.'
Elves scouting spotted them?
I checked the camera feed from the lv.3-enhanced [Robot Cleaner] I'd sent with the elves for outer monitoring.
Opening it revealed...
"Please! Accept us!!"
Hundreds of demons bowing before elves aiming arrows.