Chapter 40

# 40

User Manual for the Reincarnated 040

Contract

Actually, it's not a bad deal at all.

150 million won in Korean currency.

Here, it's a 1,500 gold signing bonus and an annual salary of 700 gold, which is a whopping 70 million won in Korean currency.

I don't know how new recruits are evaluated here, but I do feel they've shown some consideration.

The amount sounds quite substantial at first.

However, they don't seem to be welcoming me.

There could be various reasons, but they probably don't know that my potential ability is below average.

None of the people in front of me have a status window with characteristics similar to the "mind's eye."

The main reason for the deduction is likely my profession as an alchemist and my relatively weak mana.

If I had to describe it, it feels like a white elephant.

It's burdensome to keep, but it's a shame to throw away.

'Right.'

It feels like they're wondering, 'Is it worth investing this much in one person to recruit the entire party?'

While I was processing this in my head, Eunji Yang spoke again.

"That's not all. I can't explain everything right now, but we have various benefits prepared. Think of it as similar to Earth. For example, we have basic insurance like accident and life insurance, and you can use the free facilities within the guild. We can also assign you a personal coach. Oh! If you get married or have a child, we provide basic support. Although, not many people get married here…."

"Ah, I see. Is there a specific reason for that?"

"Probably because they are exposed to unknown dangers. The tutorial dungeon itself might be safer, but there are still monsters and dungeons here. The Blue Guild mainly maintains itself through dungeon exploration and monster hunting. Of course, we also have a performance-based system. After a hunt, the monster's byproducts are divided between the guild and the hunting party at a ratio of about 40% to 60%. The exact numbers are…."

"That makes sense. The signing bonus and salary include hazard pay, right?"

"Yes. The amount might be a bit higher than you expect."

She's being quite honest.

It feels quite professional.

I don't know how long Earthlings have been here, but it seems they've established a system.

Especially the existence of insurance is something I didn't expect.

'Smart.'

"As an alchemist, we will also provide you with the necessary catalysts. Of course, we might have difficulty providing items that are very expensive…."

"Ms. Yang…."

"It's better to be honest."

"Hmm…."

"This is the best we can offer at the Blue Guild."

At least, her attitude isn't bad.

She seems to respect me and is quite desperate.

However, the old men sitting on either side are a problem.

They keep sighing and seem to be evaluating my rank.

They are definitely old-timers and corrupt.

They clearly don't know about my relationship with Bok Deok-gu and Jung Hae-yeon.

I thought being comrades who cleared the dungeon together would carry some weight, but it seems different outside.

'They must have seen it all.'

Perhaps they've seen many people who came out of the dungeon together break apart due to conditions, money, or personal issues.

After all, they're just people who shared life and death.

Considering that we were strangers just three months ago, it's not surprising that the environment can tear people apart.

Even on Earth, brothers, family, and best friends can fall apart due to interests.

Of course….

'This doesn't apply to our party.'

Absolutely not.

Bok Deok-gu and I have a strong bond, and Jung Hae-yeon would never abandon me.

Kim Hyun-sung, who has invested a lot in me, is the same.

We are more tightly bound than they think, by interests they don't know.

Their attitude towards me is almost comical.

The fact that they offered good conditions to recruit the four of us is commendable, but if they were truly desperate, they should have been more humble.

It's annoying, but not entirely bad.

In fact, I find this situation quite enjoyable.

'Idiots.'

I wish they treated me with even more indifference and neglect.

It would be more advantageous.

"Actually, I'm not sure, but it seems like a good deal. I can tell you've put a lot of thought into it."

"Yes, you won't be disappointed."

"By the way, are there non-combat roles in the Blue Guild?"

"Yes."

I hinted at this, and one of the old men spoke up.

"Yes, Ki-yeong. Strictly speaking, alchemists are classified as non-combat roles. And there are no guilds that would offer such contract terms to an alchemist."

"Ah, I see. That's quite strange. There's clearly an option for alchemy magic…."

"It's not very efficient. While alchemists can use catalysts to cast spells, the byproducts of monsters are expensive. The alchemy arrays used by alchemists are not very efficient either."

"Ah, I see."

"If the alchemist has spare mana, it's a different story. May I ask how much your mana stat is?"

"8."

"Hmm… For someone who has changed classes twice, that's not very high. Is your mana growth slower than usual…?"

"Yes. Compared to my intelligence, it doesn't seem to grow as quickly as other mages."

"Ah, I see. I understand."

He looks like he expected this.

It seems my internal evaluation has dropped a bit due to our conversation.

At least, the tone suggests they're accepting me because of Kim Hyun-sung and Jung Hae-yeon.

"If you speak well of us to the others, we can make it less disappointing. What do you think?"

Despite this, he subtly shows me the contract.

I glance at the contract and continue slowly.

"Let me think about it. I need some time."

"What do you mean…?"

"Ah, I'm looking at it positively, but I need some time to think."

"Ah, we need a relatively quick answer. We don't have much time…."

"Understood. I'll think about it as quickly as possible."

"And please speak well of us to the others."

"Of course."

As I stood up, Eunji Yang spoke hastily.

"This is part of the Blue Guild's catalog and the contract. If you read it while you think, it might help."

"I'll read it later."

There's no need or value in reading it.

'After all, everything will change in a few days.'

Outside, I saw Bok Deok-gu, Jung Hae-yeon, and Kim Hyun-sung waiting for me.

They looked at me with eyes that seemed to ask if everything went well, and I smiled without saying anything.

"Did you take any special tests, brother?"

"No, not really."

"Actually, the treatment seems quite good."

"Really?"

"Yes, Ki-yeong. I did some research, and other large guilds don't offer such conditions. It seems their words are true. Despite not showing clear growth potential, they're offering this much…."

"Yes, the people here seem nice, brother."

"Perhaps they're taking a gamble. They must feel the pressure to successfully recruit us, as they see people as resources."

They don't seem like the type to think that way.

"Maybe it's a bit premature, but what do you think? It might be better to get solid support here rather than in a large guild."

"If you're okay with it, I'm in favor."

"I…."

As expected, our loyal Deok-gu and loving Hae-yeon won't betray me.

The problem is that Kim Hyun-sung seems quite friendly towards the Blue Guild.

He even seems a bit anxious.

It feels like he's more interested in establishing a base here rather than forming his own faction.

I would make the same choice.

Forming a faction has its advantages. We can move entirely on our terms, and our options are broader.

However, joining the Blue Guild also has its merits.

We can immediately leverage the infrastructure this guild has built.

For someone like Kim Hyun-sung or Jung Hae-yeon, becoming a core member of the guild would be easy, and they might quickly catch up to the others.

His choice is definitely rational.

"Of course, there's no rush. It might be good to discuss it more, but I like this guild."

Kim Hyun-sung looked at me, hoping for an answer.

I didn't rush and spoke slowly.

"I think we should think about it more."

"Ah… Do you not like it?"

"No, not at all. Just…."

"Yes?"

"We might be able to increase our value."

"What?"

"Our value. Wouldn't it be better to get a better deal? There might be a way to increase our value more clearly."

"Ah…."

If Kim Hyun-sung really values the Blue Guild, the story might change, but he doesn't seem to.

He just needs a faction.

He seemed to snap back to reality, realizing his position.

I don't know what his plan is, but our party still has time.

Since we left the tutorial dungeon early, it won't affect his future plans.

"I think I understand what you're saying."

"Yes, there's no need to rush the contract, Hyun-sung. The more we drag it out, the more anxious they'll get."

Kim Hyun-sung clearly understood what I meant.

"Then… we can get more from them? Actually, money isn't a big concern…."

"Sure, it's not."

"By the way… Is there a chance you're thinking of going somewhere else, brother?"

"No, that's not it. I want to stay with you all. Of course, Hyun-sung too. Right?"

"Yes. Even though this strange place brought us together… I want to go with Ki-yeong, Deok-gu, and Hae-yeon."

It's a heartwarming scene.

Looking at Kim Hyun-sung, I couldn't help but smile.

'I'll make sure you earn a lot of money, Hyun-sung.'