We found ourselves in an ironic twist, where one had risen to the rank of an executive in a guild, while the rest of us were searching for new guilds to take us in. It was a stark contrast from our humble beginnings together. Personally, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that I hadn't ended up in their position.
As I surveyed the surroundings in our new setting, I recognized familiar faces from our time in the shelter. Lee Ji-Hye and others from back then were among them. Surprisingly, they seemed to be adapting well. Given my own rigorous training experiences, I was also in good shape.
Reflecting on my journey from struggling to adapt initially, I realized that I had come to accept the reality of this world, almost forgetting that it wasn't my original one. It was astonishing how absorbed I had become in this new reality.
Among the crowd, most were unfamiliar faces. However, my unique ability allowed me to quickly assess their potential by analyzing their stats. These attributes weren't immediately apparent to the naked eye, making me grateful for my ability to gauge their strengths.
Though there were a few exceptions, I knew that Cha Hee-ra would likely overlook certain individuals. Still, I believed it was crucial to evaluate everyone thoroughly to avoid missing out on potential assets.
"It seems like everyone holds promise."
"Indeed."
The expressions on the trainees' faces and the look on the instructor's face boosted my confidence. They were well aware of the newfound power I possessed, making them tread cautiously around me.
Out of the seven factions operated by the Silver Crescent Guild, they hadn't made the cut. If I were in their shoes, I'd focus on banding together and growing stronger to prove our worth. Guild membership wasn't solely about acquiring wealth; it also provided a crucial support network.
Regarding the instructor, I could sense his misplaced arrogance for being chosen by the Silver Crescent Guild, only to end up with mundane errands. Little did he know that the real investments the guild engaged in were for individuals with exceptional potential.
The recruitment system seemed to cause people to undervalue themselves if not selected, even when they possessed hidden talents.
Observing the instructor through my activated ability, I discerned his limited growth potential.
"His stats are generally low..."
"I've only been here for a short time, but I'm curious about the education system." Kee Miyoung said.
"Oh? I can explain it to you if you'd like. It's not overly complex." The instructor replied.
"Well..."
"While the primary objective is to secure jobs for those here, in reality, only a few actually achieve that. These individuals are usually the ones with exceptional abilities within the group."
(The mention of "exceptional abilities" made me think of Jung Hayan.)
"I understand."
"People who survive the dungeon without engaging in combat struggle to identify their aptitudes, so they receive immediate training. For Magicians and priests, it's about assessing their magical potential. If they lack it, they transition to melee roles. Those who can't excel in combat or tactical methods enter non-combat roles and undergo specialized training."
"Specialized education..."
"Exactly. This includes roles like cooking, cleaning, and more. Some are employed in imperial-run restaurants and forges, while others use their Earth-based skills in service jobs like beauty salons."
"That's interesting."
"It's not bad at all. Guilds sometimes even recruit for these roles. The Red Mercenary Guild, for instance, has a skilled hairstylist among its members."
"Ah... I see." I nodded as though I was already aware of this, even though it was new information to me. It was somewhat surprising to learn about Cha Hee-ra's diverse interests.
"Then, regarding those who enter the non-combat army..."
"I usually respect personal choices, but I wouldn't recommend it at the training center level. Without a clear aptitude, being sent to the mainland would likely yield unsatisfactory results. You might not find employment. While you could still offer your services elsewhere and receive fair compensation... most people still seek a sense of belonging."
"That makes sense."
"Exactly. Most aspire to join a medium or large guild, but these guilds that have already established themselves aren't usually interested in rookies. Still, don't worry, Kee Miyoung, you would be a sought-after commodity regardless."
I blinked. I had heard similar sentiments before. Was it mere flattery, or did it carry a deeper meaning?
"What about small to medium-sized clans?"
"I can't speak for all of them, but the situation is often worse for smaller clans. Many who don't receive attention from larger or medium-sized guilds end up joining smaller ones. Unfortunately, the survival rate for new recruits in these smaller clans isn't very high."
"Any particular reasons?"
"Compared to larger guilds, space is limited, leading to forceful evictions. While it might vary from guild to guild, there are quite a few clans here that function like that, much like the 'black companies' on Earth. Incidents resulting from large guilds excessively outsourcing their tasks are also common... There are Guild Masters who exploit their members for results. Those who perish without granted insurance contribute to this as well."
"I see what you mean."
"I don't think I need to elaborate further."
The workings and dynamics of this continent became clear. In truth, its harshness paralleled the realities of my old world.
Large guilds were coveted, while smaller and medium-sized clans ended up with what were considered the leftovers, often casting them aside in the end. I was sure the salary differences were notable too.
If the tutorial dungeon had been challenging, the continent itself was akin to a relentless inferno.
What caught my interest were the non-combat and vocational options mentioned by the instructor. I made a mental note to investigate these individuals further. Among them, some might possess hidden talents despite their current roles.
"Additionally, there's time for us to familiarize ourselves with general knowledge about the continent. The history and relationships between guilds, the Holy Empire, the Republic, and the Kingdom Union."
"We haven't had the chance to fully grasp that aspect of this world."
"For team leaders, guild-level training will be provided. The same goes for trainees. Even if some members join other guilds or clans, training will still be tailored to each guild's needs. We allocate a separate training period to nurture new recruits and unlock their true potential."
"Ah..."
"For the Blue Guild, the training regimen is relatively relaxed and comprehensible. However, other guilds have more intricate training methods."
"I understand. Thank you for clarifying."
"It's my pleasure. I'm glad I could assist."
I patted him on the shoulder, a simple gesture but one that left the instructor gaping.
"I'll return the favor for the insights you've shared."
"Oh, you really don't have to..."
"No, really. Thank you."
It was a mutual benefit. Bonding with ordinary individuals would undoubtedly prove advantageous in the long run.
As I surveyed the crowd again, my eyes landed on Lee Ji-Hye. She glanced my way with a perplexing expression.
"Should I approach her?"
Despite not intending to invite her into my party, I decided against it. My schedule was too packed. I needed to finalize the list for Cha Hee-ra and identify suitable members for Kim Hyunsung's team. Balancing training and administrative tasks was also crucial. And my list of priorities extended beyond that.
"Exploration and potion crafting need my attention too."
Kim Hyun-sung's dungeon strategy and the products destined for the Holy Continent required my focus. At my current pace, burnout was inevitable. I needed dependable teammates to help shoulder the load.
"Hmm..."
"Do you need anything?"
"No, thank you."
Once again, I swept my gaze across the crowd. This time, I spotted familiar faces entering the training center.
"Lee Sang-hee..." Kim Hyunsung was with her.
A look of distaste crossed my face as I also noted Lee Seolho trying to remain inconspicuous. While on probation, he would be wary of stirring trouble. Several administrative team leaders greeted them, and they bowed in return.
This exchange was natural, given their equal ranks. It was a different story for regular guild members and instructors, as their greetings went unnoticed.
Lee Sang-hee was an exception, engaging in personalized greetings with each guild member. Eventually, she approached me.
"You got here first."
"Yes, Lee Sang-hee."
"I've already conveyed this to Mr. Hyunsung, but I'll reiterate it. If he needs to recruit specific personnel, I'm open to that. We'll assist in any aspect that contributes to the guild's growth."
"Thank you."
I saw a smile grace Lee Sang-hee's lips.
"Don't worry, I'll give it my all."
Unlike other interactions that required vigilance, being around Lee Sang-hee felt reassuring. While it might seem inappropriate to call her a "motherly" figure at thirty-three, she emanated that comforting vibe to me.
"Your dedication is truly appreciated, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine."
After exchanging warm greetings, I settled into a comfortable spot that caught my eye. It wasn't long before a group of trainees, wearing a mix of excitement and nervousness, began to trickle in. You could see them wrestling with thoughts about whether they would secure an offer, much like I once did.
In their eyes, we represented the elite, the ones they needed to impress to secure their place.
The Grand Master of the Azure Enclave, a figure of respect, stood poised at the lectern and began to address the assembly.
"Each and every one of you has shown immense dedication up to this point. Even those who struggled with the language barrier and persevered deserve praise."
A hush fell over the crowd.
"In an ideal world, I would extend your training to ensure a seamless transition into the continent. Regrettably, circumstances prevent me from doing so, and I extend my sincerest apologies for that. Soon, you'll depart from this place. Today, some among you might receive invitations from established guilds or clans. Alternatively, a few of you might choose to forge your own path by forming a new clan."
"Furthermore, there are those among you whose skills lie in non-combat roles, and they might find themselves drafted into the service. Each of you will tread a different path, but there's one vital piece of advice I can offer."
A weighty silence hung in the air.
"Survive."