“Ha… Finally, it’s over… Ah…”

[The Chaos Ruler sets off fireworks, saying our Nari did so~ very well!]

It’s over. The interview is really over. Rude slumped over the desk. After a few seconds, Rude, barely regaining his senses, put Ihyeon’s laptop into the eco bag with trembling arms.

“This… This job preparation… is much harder than gate subjugation…”

[The Chaos Ruler reminds you once again of your position, saying it’s because you’re ranked first.]

“Hey! What are you saying? Do you want to do the interview now! Huh? I’m really dying here?!”

Rude, irritated by the Chaos Ruler’s indirect message, swung his fist into the air.

To think he’d be this nervous. A tension that makes even the top-ranked become humble. It’s on a different level from gate subjugation. Is this how all job seekers have felt? His whole body was trembling.

Inwardly expressing respect for the 870,000 job seekers in Korea, Rude sighed and used his skill.

[Trickster Basic Skill :: ‘Perception Hindrance’ activated! Your presence becomes fainter.]

Just in case someone might recognize him, Rude left the building only after activating Perception Hindrance, and sat crouched on the emergency staircase with shaky legs.

“I’m hungry…”

He hadn’t eaten a single bite since morning due to nervousness. Rude took out a tuna mayo triangle kimbap from the eco bag and opened the packaging with a rip.

It was two days past the disposal date, so the dried-out rice grains without stickiness fell to the floor.

“Convenience store food really isn’t fit to eat. Just a few days past the expiration date and the rice grains fall like this…”

Deeply regretting giving Kang Ihyeon expired food that day, Rude sighed heavily and brushed away the falling rice grains from his pants with his hand.

First, there’s someone to contact before leaving here. Rude pressed his phone with trembling hands. After a brief connection tone, there was a click and Ihyeon answered the phone.

[Hello? Rude? Did the interview go well?]

“I’m sorry.”

[Pardon?]

“I think I completely messed it up.”

Silence flowed through the emergency staircase. Hehe, hehehe, Rude laughed, banging his head against the wall. Thinking back, his answers didn’t make any sense.

[Did, did it go that badly? You couldn’t speak at all?]

“No, it’s not that, but I said something strange about my motivation for applying… Objectively speaking, if I were the HR manager, I don’t think I’d hire myself…”

‘Saying I applied to the Sacred Battle because I saw Hunter Kang Ihyeon and wanted to believe it would be okay to be together… It sounds like I’m entering because of a crush…’

It’s really a mess. It might be possible to see the rare sight of the world’s top-ranked failing an interview with one of the top 4 guilds, and not even in Korea.

Except that the top-ranked is himself, Nari would probably have been eagerly watching the fire from across the river…

[What, what kind of answer did you give?]

“Th-th-that, I can’t say!”

Rude, who had been banging his head against the wall, sat up straight. There was no way he could tell Ihyeon, the protagonist of Rude’s motivation for applying, about what he said in today’s interview. A gasp was heard from the other end of the phone.

[Don’t tell me you really said you’re joining for the money?]

“No, are you crazy?! I didn’t give that kind of answer! It’s just… I gave a bit of an… embarrassing answer…”

[Then did you say it’s for the sake of Korea’s security?]

“Ah. No, not that, something else. I just spoke thoughtlessly, words came out in a jumble. So…”

Rude stood up abruptly. But as his legs trembled, he sat back down on the emergency stairs. His face was burning as he recalled his interview answers. Kang Ihyeon’s laughter could be heard from the other end of the phone.

[It’ll be fine. A sincere answer might be evaluated more positively.]

“But what if I get rejected here. I… I’d feel so sorry to you…”

Rude looked down, fidgeting with his fingers. Despite Rude’s worries, Kang Ihyeon spoke with a smile in his voice from the other end.

[I’m really okay with it. I’m happy just to be able to help. Even if it doesn’t work out, like you said, I’ll take responsibility till the end! There are still three more of the top 4 guilds left… You might even get a free pass to somewhere like Baekya.]

“Hey! Are, are you stupid? Do you think I interviewed because I want to join just any guild?!”

Rude shouted in the emergency staircase. Ihyeon on the other end went quiet.

“…Hey? Hello? Can you hear me?”

Rude, wondering why he was acting like this, suddenly realized what he had said and covered his mouth with his hand.

‘Did, did I speak too sincerely…?’

In his anger at Ihyeon’s overly casual words, he made a mistake. The other person might think it’s a bit burdensome. A low voice was heard from the other end.

[Then should I move with you?]

“Uh… What?”

A voice suppressing something. Rude, not understanding the words, asked again, and Ihyeon repeated.

[If you get rejected… Should I go where you go? Is that okay?]

A cautious request for permission in a low voice. This time, Rude had no answer.

‘What… What is he saying?’

Rude’s mind went blank. Even though they hadn’t known each other for long, he had heard many unexpected things from Kang Ihyeon in that short time.

Why? What does he want from me? Why is he going this far? Rude’s mind was full of question marks. He still couldn’t understand the purpose of Ihyeon’s words.

Having never received such interest and kindness in 10 years, he didn’t know how to react. Rude, red up to his neck, was desperately trying to figure out what answer to give.

[The Chaos Ruler teases you greatly, saying “Ollerikkolleri~”]

In the tense silence, a black indirect message popped up in front of Rude’s eyes. Startled, Rude reflexively shouted.

“Sh-shut up!”

[Ah, gasp, I-I’m sorry! I was too presumptuous, wasn’t I!]

“No, that’s not it!! S-sorry, that wasn’t meant for you!! The, the indirect message suddenly teased me so I unconsciously… I’m really sorry…”

Rude, who had inadvertently cursed at the person he was talking to, apologized hurriedly, not knowing what to do. He almost became a trash person who suddenly cursed at the other’s considerate offer.

[Ah, oh I see. You really startled me…]

“S-sorry… Really sorry. It absolutely wasn’t meant for you.”

As the atmosphere lightened, Rude finally let out a sigh. Nari, realizing it was time to change the subject, threw out a topic first.

“If, if I passed… When will they notify me?”

[Hmm~ It took quite a while for me, but that was probably because it was an open recruitment. For you, Rude, it should be quick, right? After all, you’re ranked first, if they liked the interview, the next step should be swift.]

“I hope they let me know soon.”

Anyway, the shorter the waiting period, the better. Rude sighed and stood up, dusting off his clothes. Talking on the phone while sitting had helped ease his tension a bit.

[Anyway, don’t worry too much. Honestly, with your specs, you’d pass anywhere, so unless you completely messed up, it should be fine, right?]

“…Yeah.”

[And we really worked hard, didn’t we? You even memorized answers in your dreams, Rude. You’ll definitely get in!]

“Thanks, if I get in… It’s all thanks to you.”

[Come on, what are you saying? It’s because you worked hard, Rude. Well then, I have something left to do, so I’ll hang up now. My partner is calling.]

“Okay, s-see you later. Ta-talking with you… made me feel a bit… better.”

[It’s nothing. I’m so glad you say that. Um. Then I’ll hang up now. Be sure to let me know if you get in!]

With Ihyeon’s bright words, Rude hung up with a click and let out a deep sigh.

“Don’t tease me. I really almost got into big trouble.”

[The Chaos Ruler pouts, saying it was just trying to help Nari relax because you were too nervous.]

“Just enjoy it. I’m never falling for your tricks again.”

Rude sighed deeply and created a dimensional rift in the empty emergency staircase. The last shift at the convenience store was approaching.

[This is the timeline separator]

“Nari. I heard you went for a company interview today, did it go well?”

“Ah. Yes… I’m not sure if I did well.”

Nari was guarding the counter, shyly twirling her hair with her fingertips. The manager looked at Nari like that and smiled proudly.

“It’s okay. Our Nari is kinder than anyone, right? People will all~ know. Kindness radiates from your eyes.”

‘People were terrified when they made eye contact with the Rude avatar for too long during the AI interview…’

The common point between the manager and Kang Ihyeon. They see Nari too generously. Feeling somewhat like she was deceiving them, Nari smiled sheepishly.

“So, when will the results come out?”

“Th-the results will take a while, they say. And… even if I pass this, there’s still a third round.”

“You’ll do well! Don’t worry. I’m praying every day. Our Nari is so~ very great, really.”

The manager lightly patted Nari’s back. Just then, ding dong. As the notification sound rang, Nari’s gaze naturally turned to her phone.

Is it Kang Ihyeon’s messenger? She must have forgotten to turn off the notifications. Nari’s eyes widened as she was about to turn off the screen, thinking it didn’t look good to have her phone on during work hours.

Because there was an email that shouldn’t have come at this time.

「[Sacred Battle] Notice of Passing Recommended Employment Interview and Guide for Mock Subjugation Round

Hello. This is the HR recruitment manager of Guild Sacred Battle.

We thank you for applying for Sacred Battle’s recommended employment and congratulate you on passing the interview round.

A mock battle will be conducted as the next step. The schedule and important points will be notified in a separate email.

If you do not receive the guide email by XX/XX, please call the number below for inquiries.

Thank you.」

Thud, the phone fell from Nari’s hand. The manager looked at Nari at the loud sound. And read the atmosphere.

“D-did you pass?!”

“Uh, uh… Ye, yes…”

She passed just 6 hours after the interview. Even on the internet, they say it usually takes 2-3 days for the acceptance announcement. She couldn’t understand why she suddenly passed after just 6 hours.

‘Is, is this actually a dream?! Did I dream this because I wanted to pass so badly?!’

She pinched her own cheek. It hurt too much. It certainly wasn’t a dream. The manager hugged the dazed Nari tightly.

“Nari~!!! That’s so great!! I knew it. I had a good dream today!”

“Ma-manager. Is this perhaps some large-scale Truman Show? If, if so, please confess right now…”

“What are you saying now! This is reality, Nari. You passed the interview!”

When a customer eating cup noodles took out their earphones and looked at them due to the commotion at the counter, the manager said in a joyful voice.

“Customer! This child passed her company interview today. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“Yes, congratulations. It’s not easy to get a job these days… That’s great.”

It, it must be real… Nari made a dazed expression, only realizing it was reality upon seeing the dry attitude towards her. She didn’t know how to react in this situation.

[Nari, it’s a happy occasion. Just be happy then. The Chaos Ruler encourages you.]

‘How?’

After pondering for a moment, Nari picked up the fallen phone. Nari didn’t know well how to be happy about her own achievements.

But she knew who would be happy for her instead. Tok tok tok, Nari touched her phone with trembling hands. There was only one person to contact.

[I passed. Thank you.]