How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive at a Good Small-Scale Guild
Chapter 22
3. The Villain You Just Faced Is Only Our Company’s Weakest Link
“Good morning, Guild Master!”
“Welcome in.”
As I watched the two employees greet me at the entrance, I felt a fresh wave of emotion wash over me.
It seemed like only yesterday I was despairing over working at another under-five-person mom-and-pop operation, and now I’d become the owner of one myself….
“All right, I have an important announcement to make.”
The moment I arrived, I gathered the attention of my two meager staff members. I’d made a decision the night before at home.
“From now on, Susanna, you’re being promoted to Deputy.”
“Wow!”
Susanna, who had been eyeing the deputy position for some time, burst with joy.
“Cedric, you’re being promoted to Senior.”
“Thank you. Does that mean my salary goes up?”
“No? It stays the same.”
“…Then what’s the benefit?”
He looked confused for a moment, but watching Susanna’s enthusiasm, he seemed to decide that any promotion was good enough.
“Your rank goes up. When you introduce yourself to other companies, you can say you have a higher position, right?”
“I see….”
“Oh, and I’ve drafted some text for a recruitment poster to hire experienced staff.”
I began writing down words on paper.
[Global Information Network Guild — Experienced Staff Recruitment Notice]
Areas of Recruitment
-Information Analysis and Field Response Guild Members (0 positions)
Primary Duties
-Finding People / Location Tracking / Evidence Collection of Various Types
-Consultation on Clients’ Concerns
Application Requirements
-2+ years of relevant work experience
We are seeking individuals to grow together with us as we embark on a new chapter for our Guild.
Compensation and Benefits
-Base salary + hazard pay + commission per completed commission
-Snacks provided
-Clean restroom
-Cubicle with dividers
-One paid day off per month
Selection Process
Round 1: Document Review
Round 2: Guild Master Interview
A probationary period may be instituted depending on circumstances.
How to Apply
-Submit documents in person at the Guild
Please contact Deputy Susanna with any inquiries.
Important Notes
This Guild operates as a business with fewer than five employees, which means applicants may be assigned “somewhat more work” than at typical guilds. However, growth opportunities are exceptionally rapid, and you will gain extensive experience.
“What do you think?”
“…It seems better than the notice the previous Guild Master posted.”
“That one would’ve made people want to flee from the posting itself.”
I can’t fathom why Cedric even applied after reading such a notice.
“Now, Cedric, please rewrite this notice in your fine calligraphy.”
“…Yes.”
He set about writing in his now-familiar steady hand, producing beautiful characters. He had become our Guild’s official designer. This is exactly why you shouldn’t show competence at work—it gets you typecast.
After posting the Guild member recruitment notice prominently on the building’s front, Susanna tilted her head and asked a question.
“Do you really think experienced staff will apply? They’d probably rather go to other better guilds….”
“Susanna, these days we’re living in an employment crisis. Even experienced workers are applying as new hires at other places.”
From what I’d observed, this world was supposed to be a romance fantasy overflowing with love, yet its job market was no different from my previous world.
Given how difficult employment has become these days, I was confident applications would arrive soon enough.
***
Just as I’d predicted, after about four days, we’d already received roughly four applications.
“This person looks pretty promising.”
Applicant: Gerick Crona
“Let’s give this person an interview.”
“Yes, I’ll reach out to him.”
In that moment, I studied Gerick’s application more carefully. He hadn’t spent two years at any single Guild, but pieced together from various places, it did add up to two years.
Education and Experience
—Roden University, Information Science Department (Withdrew)
—Light Investigation Office, Assistant Staff (Resigned after 6 months due to health issues)
—Information Records Guild, Intern (Resigned after 6 months due to health issues)
—Gray Information Guild, Full-time Employee (1 year tenure)
Reason for Application
I have lived a life without confidence.
Though I have tried to work hard, my poor communication skills have led people to misunderstand me greatly.
Because of this, I have had poor relationships with colleagues and received much criticism from supervisors.
But now I wish to change.
I want to showcase my strengths and be reborn anew in a new Guild with a new self.
“Hmm, has he suffered some painful wound?”
Reading just this application, it seemed he had endured harassment at his previous Guilds but was now applying with one last glimmer of hope.
Wait—don’t characters like this appear frequently in Romance Fantasy? Talented but carrying some deep wound, and then I heal that wound so skillfully that they devote themselves to me and unleash their full potential.
Perfect, this might work! This is exactly my chance to use the Romance Fantasy tropes I know to uncover talent!
Just as I was harboring such hopes, Susanna had drawn near and began chattering away.
“Honestly, isn’t the application a bit weak? Why would he openly admit that his interpersonal relationships aren’t good?”
“Maybe because he’s an honest person?”
“Hmm, from what I can see, his reputation was probably ruined at his previous Guild, so I think he’s trying to preempt any rumors that might have reached us….”
“Deputy Susanna, let’s wait and judge based on meeting the person first.”
Susanna’s point had merit too. It did mean I’d need to look carefully at the interview.
Shortly after, I sat facing a man in the reception room. He had somehow a fragile, pitiful expression. It was the kind of face that stirred sympathy in whoever looked upon it.
“Hello, Guild Master. I’m Gerick Crona.”
“Hello, Gerick. Thank you for coming to the interview.”
As I offered him a cup of tea, the man’s pupils trembled at the sight of the cup.
“Tea…?”
“Yes?”
“It’s nothing, just—! It’s just… no one has ever treated me this way before…!”
He’s moved to tears just by being offered tea? It really does seem like he’s suffered genuine workplace harassment.
‘Still, those other X-level Guilds in this world really do have problems.’
It made sense—workplace harassment probably wasn’t formally recognized yet in this world. My gaze toward Gerick softened with pity.
“What do you consider your greatest strength?”
“I’m confident in writing reports. I’m also good at reading others’ emotions, at empathizing and showing consideration……”
“And your weaknesses? Why did you leave your previous Guilds?”
“I lacked skills in company life… I didn’t know basic common sense. For example, if I worked too hard, it would be a burden to my colleagues, that sort of thing.”
He really does seem like an employee who’s been subjected to hazing.
At my previous company, Park Geo-seong’s abuses were so severe that colleagues tended to stick together, but there are certainly companies where internal politics and factional disputes run rampant.
“But now, if you teach me, I will learn everything. This time, I truly want to work for a long time……”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Please, if you could just give me one last chance, I would be grateful……”
Watching Gerick clasp his hands together with such earnestness, I nodded.
Yes, this is indeed an opportunity. Our Guild will heal his heart and let him flourish.
“Good, Gerick. You can start tomorrow.”
“Really? Truly? Thank you, thank you so much!”
Gerick bounced with joy as if he’d been accepted into a major corporation. Seeing him like that, I felt proud in my role as Guild Master.
Good—now our Guild returns to four members.
I’ll observe him for a few days, then report his permanent conversion to the Temple. All new hires at our Guild have to be reported to the Temple.
But I didn’t know then.
Without a massive villain like Park Geo-seong, I had no idea what kinds of villains might walk through the door of an ordinary company……

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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