Published: August 2, 2025
Today, four chapters posted simultaneously.
This is the fourth chapter.
I asked the two who remained.
“To the two of you who stayed, slime is okay, right? Everyone else has already left.”
They nodded quietly at my words.
“Then, may I have your names? Also, if you have any requests regarding the employment conditions, please let me know. Let’s start with the gentleman over there on the right.”
I first spoke to the middle-aged man on the right. The woman too — these two caught my attention. Their clothing was quite different from what you usually see in town; they looked like Chinese characters from a kung fu movie. They were the first to catch my eye when they came in. Also, the man’s staff and the woman’s hair ornament...
As I was observing them, the man spoke.
“My name is Fay. This is my daughter Lilin. We’d be happy if you’d hire us as a parent and child.”
His speech matched his appearance! And the woman was his daughter...
“You two are parent and child?”
“My daughter resembles her mother, not me. Also, there is one thing I must say first.”
Fay showed me his right foot, which was fixed with a splint.
“I’m a merchant from a country called Jirmar. Our country became dangerous due to war, so we fled. But when we came here, most of our money was stolen. Only the remaining luggage and my daughter came with me.
“At first, we had no money, so I did mining work to earn some. But I broke my right leg in a cave-in. I can’t afford to pay a healing magic user, so it takes time to heal. Can you still hire me with this leg?”
A fracture, huh... I think an intermediate healing magic greater heal several times or one advanced mega heal could fix it. I can’t cast either, but if I leave it to the heal slime, it should heal. Even if it doesn’t, Fay can specialize in front desk work until healed.
“If you can specialize in front desk duties until you recover, the issue with your foot is not a problem.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Front desk work is a respectable job. As long as you can properly attend to customers, it’s fine. Do you have any salary requests?”
“No. As long as I get enough to live, that’s enough.”
“I see. Next, your daughter... Lilin, was it? Any requests?”
“Same as my father. Enough money to live and to be hired together with him. If possible, I’d be happy if we could live in or be introduced to cheap lodging or a house. Our current place is a temporary guild inn; if we find work, we have to move out.”
“Many say they can’t hire me because of my leg. Now my daughter is doing odd jobs at the guild just to barely support us. Actually, we don’t have much money left. If it’s cheap to stay, we won’t complain.”
If they live in, I have staff lodging built on a whim that’s vacant, so that’s fine. They also said a low salary was fine, so the planned wage should be sufficient. Even though they’re foreign-born, communication is possible.
Besides, these two seem to be hiding it, but they’re quite strong. They’re as sharp as Jeff and the others, much more capable fighters than the bandits or adventurers we faced before. If hired, they could even serve as the store’s bodyguards.
“In that case, we have staff rooms available, so you may live there.”
“Really!? It pays to ask!”
Everyone else has left, and I think their abilities are fine. Just one thing...
“One last question... but first, Guild Master.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry, but could you please step outside this room for a moment? There’s something about the store I need to attend to.”
I said lightly, but seriously wanted them to leave now.
These people probably didn’t have normal jobs before.
In this world, killing in self-defense isn’t uncommon. I’ve killed about 30 bandits myself. But with these two, it’s not just that number. This is the first time I’ve felt this way — a smell of death, maybe? Not just since coming to this world from Japan, but ever.
...In case of emergency, it’d be hard to fight while protecting the Guild Master.