How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 8

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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 Small-Scale Guild
Chapter 8
‘This is unbelievable.’
Sedrian thought, sitting in his office.
‘The Temple is approaching me first.’
He had spent considerable effort trying to win over people from inside the Temple, but always failed. Their faith ran too deep.
The High Priest of the Temple possessed the Miracle ability, and those in the Temple who witnessed it firsthand remained devoutly loyal to him.
After failing to corrupt insiders, Sedrian had sought out people who worked under the Temple, but even that proved difficult. The Temple kept its subcontracted agencies hidden away.
It was remarkable that the small-scale information guild he had visited by chance for another commission—the Global Information Network Guild—turned out to be subcontracting for the Temple.
‘Things are falling into place too smoothly. Could this also be an attempt to use me?’
Even after confirming it with the Oath ability, Sedrian felt unsettled.
His entire life had been a string of moments where survival depended on doubt. Now he trusted no one.
Was there any way to learn more about that guild?
Sedrian walked toward the guild office with his appearance altered using an Item, seeking any scrap of information, when he spotted a paper posted in front.
[Global Information Network Guild: New Employee Recruitment Notice]
—Your passion is our asset.
We are recruiting next-generation talent for a first-class information guild leading innovation and global expansion.
Qualifications
—Age/gender/background: No restrictions
—Strong sense of responsibility and a love for a “family-like atmosphere”
—Positive mindset capable of handling any task with a smile
Work Conditions
—Six-day work week (day off negotiable, though negotiation results in point deduction)
—Salary: negotiable (downward negotiation only)
※ This guild qualifies as a business with fewer than five employees and is not subject to Imperial labor law.
“……!”
***
‘Who in their right mind would apply after seeing that notice?’
After posting the new employee recruitment notice per the Guild Master’s orders, I grumbled inwardly.
Surely no sane person would apply after reading that. Unless they were some unfortunate fresh graduate desperate for their first job.
“Odret, any applications yet?”
“Ah, well….”
Before he could express his frustration, I cut in quickly.
“Wouldn’t it be better to get one qualified applicant than a bunch of mediocre ones? Someone will appear who recognizes the true value of our guild.”
“Hmm, you’re right.”
Fortunately, the Guild Master nodded as if my words made sense. Then he rose from his seat and looked between Susanna and me.
“But once a new employee arrives, won’t it look a bit bare having only a Chief? We should have a Vice-Manager too, don’t you think?”
“……!”
This is an opportunity! My eyes snapped open, sensing something.
People unfamiliar with X Company make the mistake of joking, “You haven’t gotten promoted at X, have you?”—but that has zero effect.
Because the characteristic of X Company, where I used to work, was….
“Boss! I’ve been here a long time—could you promote me?”
“Sure, why not! From tomorrow, you’re a Vice-Manager!”
“Really?!”
“And this Vice-Manager is promoted to Senior Manager! And Manager Kim is promoted to Director!”
“…Nothing’s actually changed, has it?”
That’s how promotions worked there.
In any case, with only the Guild Master above me now, promotion is a good opportunity. I can’t stay a Chief while Susanna becomes Vice-Manager. And when a new employee arrives, I’ll need at least the Vice-Manager rank to bring them to my side.
“You’re absolutely right, Guild Master. Having a Vice-Manager would definitely strengthen things, wouldn’t it?”
“Right? I’m just wondering who to promote….”
At those words, Susanna—who had been demoralized—began reading the room.
She had only been quiet because I had leverage on her, but originally Susanna had been climbing the ladder through careful flattery of the Guild Master.
“I always thought Susanna was doing great work, but lately you seem so lifeless. Come on, you need to work with more passion at the guild!”
“Haha….”
Susanna glanced at my face, then—unable to pass up the opportunity—opened her mouth.
“If I were promoted to Vice-Manager, I think I could work even harder….”
She began using her characteristically coquettish tone.
But she didn’t know. At X Company, what matters for promotion isn’t appealing to yourself—it’s tearing down others.
After confirming the coffee cup on Susanna’s desk, I smiled with quiet satisfaction and spoke.
“Guild Master, is latte really that trendy these days?”
“All of a sudden? What are you talking about?”
“I’ve been so busy with meeting preparations that I usually just drink instant coffee mix. But as expected, Susanna, you’re quite on top of trends—you’re drinking a latte. Thanks to you, I feel like I’m learning what’s popular these days!”
“What? A latte?”
The old-fashioned Guild Master’s face flushed with indignation in an instant.
“What’s this about young people these days having no manners? A latte? In a company, you drink instant coffee, naturally! Back in my day, if someone handed you a cup of instant coffee, you were grateful! We just drank plain water!”
“You’re absolutely right, Guild Master. Your dedication is truly inspiring—I should learn from your attitude toward work and life!”
“Hmm, I suppose I’ll need to think a bit more about who should be promoted to Vice-Manager. Both of you, keep up the good work.”
“Yes, Guild Master!”
Susanna glanced at the latte sitting on her desk and trembled slightly.
Well, but the race for the Vice-Manager promotion was just beginning.
***
“Where should we have lunch today? Does anyone want to pick?”
“Oh, Team Leader! Let me choose! I heard the Owl Restaurant just ahead is incredibly popular!”
“The Owl Restaurant?”
Before the Guild Master could be swayed by Susanna’s suggestion, I quickly interjected.
“Ah, I’ve heard about it too. They say the spicy rosé cream pasta at the Owl Restaurant is all the rage these days?”
“What? Spicy rosé… what did you say? What on earth is that?”
“Well, truth be told, I’ve been finding that spicy food doesn’t sit well with my stomach lately—maybe I’m falling behind the times. But you know what? That hearty stew from the Mercenary Restaurant in the back is so satisfying!”
“That’s right! Young people these days always want to go to those expensive, fancy places! Let’s go to the Mercenary Restaurant!”
Susanna shot me a glare filled with resentment.
“Wow, Susanna! What’s this receipt for? You bought a phonograph? You’re listening to music at home?”
“What? A phonograph? That expensive thing?”
“N-no, it wasn’t that expensive. Just an affordable one…”
“I heard it’s become a trend among young people to bring small phonographs to the office, so it seems Susanna’s doing the same!”
“No, that’s not—!”
“Anyway, kids these days have no sense! Honestly, tsk!”
A second strike. Susanna’s eyes flashed with resentment once again.
“Guild Master, how about we have a team gathering today? It’s been a while!”
“A team gathering? Didn’t you say you hated those?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t you think it’d be good for us to bond as a team before the new employee arrives?”
“Hmm, I suppose so.”
Susanna, who was now being dragged to the team gathering against her will, shot me a look of pure fury.
We ended up at the cheap Mercenary Restaurant nearby—no expensive meat for us—and ordered some simple skewered snacks as side dishes.
“Young people these days don’t like being pressured to drink, do they?”
“Oh, come on, that’s not true!”
Susanna, apparently having sized up my typical behavior, got ahead of me.
“Any drink you offer me, Guild Master, I’ll gladly have!”
“That’s right, Team Leader. In the old days, we all toasted together like that, remember?”
“Right, unity used to matter! You kids today have no sense of camaraderie!”
“Well then, allow me to mix a drink for you, sir.”
I stood up abruptly from my seat.
Drawing on the skills I’d honed at X Company, I began mixing drinks with a flourish.
“Wow, Odret—I had no idea you had this kind of talent! You always seemed so quiet.”
“I thought it was important to learn while adapting to the company. But now that I’ve gained some experience, shouldn’t I act with a sense of ownership toward the organization?”
“Ha-ha, that’s the spirit!”
The Guild Master, now in high spirits after drinking what I’d mixed, finally cried out the words I’d been waiting for.
“I never knew you were working so hard, Odret! Good! I’ve made up my mind! You’re going to be the Vice-Manager!”
“Thank you so much, Guild Master!”
A third strike. Susanna’s eyes blazed with resentment for the third time.
“Susanna, is something the matter?”
“N-no, no… nothing at all…”
Listening to Susanna’s clenched reply, I swallowed another drink in jubilation.

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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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