"Rim is full~."
Rim rubbed her slightly rounded belly and let out a content burp.
Chishiya Shuntaro's eyelid twitched twice. He turned to the receptionist and said dryly, "Excuse me. One salad, please."
Rim had eaten everything. He hadn't even touched a bite.
"Right away, please hold on," the receptionist replied politely.
Chishiya let out a sigh.
Whatever the case, things were moving in the right direction.
Next step—recruit employees.
He mentally drafted an org chart around the labyrinth's resources: Logistics Department, Mining Department, Sales Department, Technical Department, and Human Resources.
Each would need a capable department head.
Finding core employees… now that would be tough.
No matter the world, talent is always the most valuable strategic resource.
---
After the meal, Chishiya walked to the counter.
The receptionist was a hot blonde, probably in her twenties.
He glanced at the name tag on her chest.
Luna.
"Hello, how may I help you?" she asked with a gentle smile, eyeing him discreetly.
Dirty clothes. Unkempt hair.
He looked like a broke traveler—or a beggar, honestly.
Chishiya replied, "Can I post a commission?"
"Of course," Luna said, snapping back into professional mode.
"May I ask what the job details are?"
"Looking for teammates. Food and lodging provided. Salary: 100,000 Eris per month. Must be capable of physical labor."
I'm done mining by myself.
That was death on a stick.
Time to outsource. Or rather, recruit.
"Understood. Please write your name here and the commission will be posted on the board."
Luna began logging the request while maintaining her bright smile.
Chishiya nodded and turned to leave, but Luna suddenly stopped him.
She looked at the name written on the form.
"Mr. Chishiya, correct?"
"Would you like to register for an adventurer's certificate as well?"
She glanced him over again.
"You don't look like a local. Without ID, things might get tricky here."
Chishiya paused. She had a point. No ID in a fantasy world? Definitely inconvenient.
"Thanks. What do I need to do?"
Luna smiled. "Just place your hand on this magic orb."
She pointed to a floating blue sphere mounted in a special bracket.
Magic, huh?
System, do I have magic power?
Chishiya asked in his mind. He had zero clue about magic systems in this world.
[Host need not worry]
[After binding with the Labyrinth Demon, you inherited her massive magical energy]
Chishiya placed his hand on the orb out of curiosity.
The orb lit up with a blinding glow.
"Whoa...!"
Luna gasped and covered her mouth.
What incredible magical power!
This guy looked like a poor traveler who couldn't afford pants, and yet...
So much mana?
Unbelievable.
It really is true. When one door closes, a window opens.
"Mr. Chishiya," she said, picking up the printed adventurer's certificate.
"All of your stats are remarkably high. Especially your magic power!"
"You can choose from any advanced class right from the start!"
"That's amazing!"
Her voice had attracted attention. Adventurers around the guild began to whisper.
"First the blue-haired high priest, now the explosion girl from the Crimson Demon Clan… and another one shows up?"
"Newcomers are getting crazier by the day."
"Well, the first two were already unhinged. Let's see what this guy's deal is."
---
Chishiya accepted the certificate, which was already populated with his personal data.
"Then I'll go ahead and switch my class to Arch Wizard."
Luna had said he could change to anything, but this was an easy pick.
Crusader, High Priest... nah. Not interested.
"Alright!"
Just as Chishiya turned to leave with his new certificate, a girl in a magician's robe appeared in front of him.
She wore a red eye patch over her right eye and carried a staff.
Striking a dramatic pose, she stopped him in his tracks.
"I've reviewed your recruitment posting."
She covered her face with one hand and posed again like she was performing on stage.
Chishiya blinked. His eyes wandered over the petite girl.
She was cute.
His gaze dropped to her chest.
Okay. Not that kind of cute.
Still, something about her felt... familiar?
She smirked.
"Heh."
"My name is Megumin!"
"I am an Arch Wizard who wields the ultimate attack magic—Explosion Magic!"
[Ding!]
The system prompt chimed in his mind.
[Crimson Demon Mage: Megumin]
[Core Employee – Eligible for Recruitment]
[Recruitment Bonuses:]
1. Crimson Demon Clan Bond: Increases magic concentration in the labyrinth by 10%
2. Explosion Magic Devotee: Reduces mana cost of Explosion Magic by 50%, and increases power by 50%
---
Recruitment bonus?
Chishiya blinked in surprise.
Megumin is a core employee?!
And hiring her grants Explosion Magic?
Megumin tossed back her cloak confidently.
"I saw that you switched to Archmage too. Surely this is destiny."
"My immense power, feared and sealed by the world... do you wish to know it?"
"Then prepare yourself to gaze into the abyss with me!"
Chishiya: "..."
Yep. Full-blown chuunibyou.
Just like in the anime. Is everyone from the Crimson Demon Clan like this?
He cleared his throat. "Well, I—"
"Wait!"
She grabbed the hem of his coat.
"Don't reject me so fast!"
"I don't need money. Just food and a place to stay…"
Gurururu—
Her stomach betrayed her.
Chishiya froze and stared.
The girl turned red, her voice barely audible.
"I haven't eaten in three days… So, before we talk business, could I maybe have a meal first...?"
(To be continued.)